Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2015 were presented and the Mayor was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were reported from Councillors Rodohan, Shuttleworth, Smart, Taylor and Tester.

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) by members as required under Section 31 of the Localism Act and of other interests as required by the Code of Conduct (please see note at end of agenda).

None declared.

The Chief Executive considers that discussion of the following item is likely to disclose exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and may therefore need to take place in private session. The exempt information reasons are shown beneath the item listed below. Furthermore, in relation to paragraph 10 of Schedule 12A, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

It was moved by Councillor Tutt, seconded by Councillor Freebody, and;

Resolved: That the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as there was a likelihood of disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The relevant paragraphs of Schedule 12A and descriptions of the exempt information reasons are shown beneath the items below.

Report of Head of Organisational Development.

Exempt information reasons 1, 2 and 3. Information relating to any individual or likely to reveal the identity of an individual and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

(Note: The Council declared the report open at the meeting).

The Council considered the report of the Head of Organisational Development which set out the recent process and activity undertaken by the Recruitment Panel in respect of this appointment.  Accordingly, Council was now asked to consider the recommendations of the Recruitment Panel, and confirm the appointment of an Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District shared Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service. An identical process of appointment was being undertaken at Lewes District Council.

It was moved by Councillor Tutt, seconded by Councillor Freebody, and;

Resolved: (Unanimously) (1) That the recommendation of the Recruitment Panel be approved and, accordingly, Council confirms the appointment of Robert Cottrill as the Shared Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service for Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council on the agreed terms and conditions. This appointment is to take effect from Monday 18 January 2016.

(2) That from the appointed date of 18 January 2016, the new shared Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service will take on responsibility for the full operational management of both councils, including the exercise of all those powers which are delegated to the Chief Executive role at both Eastbourne and Lewes. From this date the outgoing Chief Executive at Lewes will be responsible for ensuring the appropriate handover of all current Lewes priorities and projects to the new shared post-holder.

Exempt information reasons 1, 2 and 3. Information relating to any individual or likely to reveal the identity of an individual and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

NOTE: The above minute and accompanying report were declared open but the discussion remains confidential.