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Issue - meetings

Appointment of Director of Finance

 

 

Meeting: 19/07/2023 - Council (Item 94)

94 Appointment of Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) pdf icon PDF 145 KB

Purpose:

To consider the appointment of a Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) for West Oxfordshire District Council, following interviews by the Performance and Appointments Committee, and to outline interim arrangements.

 

Recommendations:

That Council Resolves to:

  1. Confirm the appointment of the Director of Finance set out in the draft minutes of the Performance and Appointments Committee meeting 17 July 2023 (Annex B, To Follow);
  2. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of the Performance and Appointments Committee, to agree final contractual details once references, medical clearance and eligibility checks (BPSS check) are concluded in accordance with the Council’s policies;
  3. Agree the appointment commences on a date to be mutually agreed between the successful candidate and the Chief Executive;
  4. Confirm the appointment of an Interim Director of Finance, James Howse, who will undertake the role of Section 151 Officer, until the appointed, permanent Director of Finance is able to take up post.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, introduced the report, which considered the appointment of a Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) for West Oxfordshire District Council, following interviews undertaken by the Performance and Appointments Committee. The report further outlined interim arrangements to cover the anticipated period between the departure of the Chief Finance Officer, and arrival of the Director of Finance.

 

The Leader gave a detailed overview of the processes taken by the Performance and Appointments Committee, and explained to Council how the Committee had reached its decision to recommend the appointment of the subject candidate to the post of Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) to Council. The Leader gave a further overview of the working and personal characteristics associated with the subject candidate, and how they would fit the role of Director of Finance for West Oxfordshire District Council. The Leader also thanked the work of Officers for their support during the recruitment process.

 

The Chief Executive gave Members a brief overview of the anticipated timeline for the period between the meeting and the subject candidate commencing employment with West Oxfordshire District Council. It was anticipated that the subject candidate would commence employment at the end of October 2023.

 

Councillor Andy Graham proposed that Council agree recommendations 3 to 6, as listed within the supplementary Council paper, agreeing to the recommendations made to Council by the Performance and Appointments Committee, at its meeting held on Monday 17 July 2023. This was seconded by Councillor Duncan Enright, was put to a vote, and was unanimously agreed by Council.

 

Council Resolved to:

  1. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of the Performance and Appointments Committee, to appoint Madhu Richards to the role of Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer), subject to two references, medical clearance and eligibility check (BPSS check) in accordance with the Council’s policies;
  2. Agree that the appointment will be made on a salary of up to £85,000 per annum plus pending pay award;
  3. Agree that the appointment commences on a date to be mutually agreed between the Chief Executive and the successful candidate;
  4. Confirm the appointment of an Interim Director of Finance, James Howse, who will undertake the role of Section 151 Officer, until the appointed, permanent Director of Finance is able to take up post.

 

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