Agenda item

Report of the Chairman of the Employment Committee

The Leader of the Council introduced the report of the Employment Committee, which recommended that the Council appoint Karen Bradford as its Chief Executive. He gave an overview of the recruitment process, which had been led by Solace and included two days of rigorous interviews and tests. He said that the Council was fortunate to have a good field of candidates from which to choose but it had been clear that Ms. Bradford had the skills, experience, character and approach that were suited to the role. he also referred to her exemplary record of achievement, particularly in respect of growth, development and change; she also had a history of bringing people on the journey with her. Her experience included a period as Deputy Chief Executive at North Kesteven District Council and most recently as Chief Executive at Gedling Borough Council. He advised members that the decision of the Employment Committee had been unanimous.

The Leader also expressed his thanks to Paul Thomas, who had taken on the role of Interim Chief Executive, thanking him for his continued support and loyalty both personally and professionally.

The Leader concluded by proposing the recommendations in the report, which were seconded by the leader of the Independent Group as a demonstration of the cross-party support for the chosen candidate. He stated that he too had found Ms. Bradford to be an outstanding candidate and reiterated how thorough and rigorous the selection process had been. He also stated that the answers she had provided during her interviews had indicated that she would be a Chief Executive that acted in the best interests of all the political groups within the Council.

During debate, a number of members expressed their gratitude to Mr. Thomas for taking on the role on an interim basis, praising the way he had conducted himself and responded to the challenge professionally and fairly, referring to specific encounters that they had enjoyed.

Without questioning the merits of this appointment, one Member who spoke on the proposition asked that in any recruitment in the future should include consideration of internal candidates. He expressed the belief that the council had some good officers and internal appointments would provide opportunities for the development of the existing officer body.

Members that spoke also stated that they looked forward to welcoming the new Chief Executive. One Councillor made a comment that he felt careful consideration should be given to the development opportunities for the new Chief Executive, referring training that had been undertaken by a previous Chief Executive that had been delivered by an American university.

In summing up, the Leader stated that he wanted to see the Chief Executive do well and take the opportunities for development that were presented to them and the learning that they could in turn bring back to the organisation. The Leader reiterated that Karen Bradford would be a Chief Executive for every member of the Council.

On being put to the vote it was unanimously AGREED:

The Council approves the permanent appointment of Karen Bradford as the Chief Executive. The appointment includes the duties of Head of Paid Services (pursuant to s.4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989), the Electoral Registration Officer (in fulfilment of the requirement of s.8 of the Representation of the People Act 1983), the Returning Officer (under the requirements of s.35(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983) and the full range of duties set down in the Chief Executive’s job description as set out at appendix A to the report of the Chairman of the Employment Committee.