Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Peter Martin, for whom Councillor Carole Cockburn substituted.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To confirm, as a correct record, the minutes of the last meeting held on 13 April 2023.

The Joint Appointments Committee approved, as a correct record, the minutes of the last meeting held on 13 April 2023.

The Joint Appointments Committee (JAC) noted that Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 required local authorities to make arrangements for the proper administration of their financial affairs and appoint a S151 Officer, also known as a Chief Financial Officer, to have responsibility for those arrangements.

Due to the departure of Peter Vickers as Executive Head of Service and Section 151 Officer, a replacement appointment was required to ensure that both councils met their statutory requirements.

The nature of the recruitment market and timescales to appoint to the permanent role, and also to that ensure both councils had the S151 Officer in place, meant that both an interim and permanent appointment solution were required.

The search for an interim S151 Officer had been carried out in conjunction with external Executive Search Companies, Penna and Hays.

Interviews and technical assessments had been carried out with shortlisted candidates and the successful candidate for the role had been identified as Richard Bates, provided from Hays.

Due to the requirement to provide continuity, Mr Bates had already been appointed to the interim role of Executive Head of Finance, with effect from 17 July 2023; however, approval to the S151 element of the role was required from both councils and a formal recommendation required from the JAC.

Following an interview with Mr Bates, the JAC unanimously

RESOLVED: To recommend to both councils that Richard Bates be appointed as the Interim Section 151 Officer for Waverley Borough Council and Guildford Borough Council.

Reasons:

·      Section 151 of the Local Government Act, 1972 requires that local authorities have in place arrangements for the proper administration of their financial affairs.

·      Richard Bates is a qualified Accountant and experienced local authority Chief Financial Officer.