Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.  All expected Members of the Council were in attendance.

An apology for absence was received from the Chief Executive.  The Deputy Chief Executive was in attendance.

The Chairman of the Council reported that the Extraordinary Council Meeting was taking place with a reduced attendance to comply with the Government’s social distancing requirements.  He placed on record his thanks to Group Leaders and all Members of the Council for their cooperation in very exceptional circumstances.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests by Members.

For transparency purposes, the Chairman of the Council confirmed that a number of New Milton Town Councillors were in attendance.  The New Milton Neighbourhood Plan had been prepared by the Town Council Steering Group.  Those councillors were noted as follows:-

·         Cllr Blunden

·         Cllr Clarke

·         Cllr Craze

·         Cllr S Davies

·         Cllr O’Sullivan

·         Cllr Reid

·         Cllr Tungate

·         Cllr C Ward

·         Cllr J Ward

Cllr Rackham, for transparency purposes, declared that she was the Chair of the Totton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

Engagements

The Chairman of the Council reported on the following recent engagements.

6 June 2021

Attended the Mayor Elect of Winchester’s Civic Service at Winchester Cathedral.

21 June 2021

Attended Appletree Court to raise the Armed Forces Flag, in recognition of Armed Forces week, accompanied by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Cleary and the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Gossage.

Colin Read

The Chairman reported that the Executive Head of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive, Colin Read would be leaving the Council shortly.  This was Colin’s final Council meeting.

Colin had done much to ensure the success of the Council’s Operational activities for nearly 20 years.  Colin’s career in Local Government started in 1980, as a trainee groundsman at Southampton City Council.  Colin joined NFDC in August 2003 as the Assistant Director of Commercial Services.  In 2007, he became Head of Service for NFDC.

In his time with the Council, Colin had overseen many important initiatives, including the implementation of the garden waste recycling scheme, the kerbside glass collection service and he had helped to improve the way in which the Council managed its cemeteries.

On behalf of the Council, the Chairman placed on record his sincere thanks to Colin for all he had done for the New Forest District.  The Chairman wished Colin the very best for the future.

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to the retiring Deputy Chief Executive, Colin Read.

The Leader was also joined by the Leader of Opposition and other Members of the Council in paying tribute to Colin.

To consider the report of the Cabinet dated 2 June 2021.

The Leader of the Council presented the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 2 June 2021, and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

Paragraph 2 – The Parish of New Milton Neighbourhood Plan 2016-2036

Members of the Council paid tribute to the work of Members and Officers of both New Milton Town Council and New Forest District Council, and the local community, in bringing forward a neighbourhood plan that was supported at referendum.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.

To agree the process to be followed to appoint a successor Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council moved the recommendations as set out in the report circulated with the agenda, which identified the processes to be followed to appoint a successor Chief Executive.  Cllr Cleary seconded the motion.

In response to queries relating to the recommendation of an external recruitment process, the Leader of the Council endorsed the comments of the Council being an equal opportunity employer and any internal applications were also very welcome as part of the recruitment process.  The Leader reiterated that the final permanent appointment of the successor Chief Executive would ultimately be a decision for the Full Council to approve.

RESOLVED:

That the Council agrees:-

(a)        The Chief Executive’s pay band as set out at paragraph 3.2 of the report;

(b)        Option B as the preferred recruitment and selection process;

(c)        That the new Chief Executive continues to take on the role of Returning Officer;

(d)        That an Appointment Panel (comprising the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader of the Council, Leader of the Opposition and a non-executive Member to be determined by the Leader of the Council) be authorised to undertake the selection process as set out in section 4 of the report and in accordance with the Council’s Constitution;

(e)        That the Appointment Panel be delegated authority to appoint an Interim Chief Executive, if required;

(f)        That the Appointment Panel be authorised to engage an external senior Local Government professional in an advisory capacity to the Panel; and

(g)        That the Panel will make a recommendation to Full Council for the appointment to the position of Chief Executive.

The Chairman of the Council referred to the recent delay to the Government roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions, now scheduled to conclude on Monday 19 July 2021. 

With the Council’s next Ordinary Meeting scheduled to take place on Monday 12 July 2021, it was considered appropriate and proportionate to delay the meeting by one week, to Monday 19 July 2021.  The Chairman asked officers to consider a contingency venue for this date if required, but it was hoped that this meeting could take place in the Council Chamber with unrestricted attendance.  The Chairman moved the proposal to delay the Council’s next Ordinary Meeting by one week.  Cllr O’Sullivan seconded the motion.

The Leader of the Council thanked the Leader of the Opposition and all Members for their cooperation with the reduced attendance at this Extraordinary Meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the date of the Council’s next Ordinary Meeting is delayed by one week, from Monday 12 July, to Monday 19 July 2021, commencing at 6.30 pm.