Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive from Members, declarations of interest in relation to any items included on the agenda for this meeting in accordance with the Guildford and Waverley’s respective Codes of Conduct for Councillors.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the first meeting of the Joint Appointments Committee held on 22 September 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.  The chairman signed the minutes.

The Joint Appointments Committee is asked to consider passing the following resolution:

“That pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information (as defined by Section 100I of the Act) of the description specified in Paragraphs 1 and 4 of the revised Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act:

(1)  Information relating to any individual

(4)  Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matters arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or officer-holders under, the authority.”

The Joint Appointments Committee

RESOLVED: That pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information (as defined by Section 100I of the Act) of the description specified in Paragraphs 1 and 4 of the revised Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, namely:

(1)   Information relating to any individual

(4)   Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matters arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or officer-holders under, the authority.”

The Joint Appointments Committee was informed that, following the conclusion of the expressions of interest in respect of the above-mentioned appointment, of the affected employees, James Whiteman, Managing Director at Guildford Borough Council had indicated that he did not wish to be considered for the role and had requested voluntary compulsory redundancy.  The Joint Appointments Committee noted that the other affected employee, Tom Horwood, Chief Executive at Waverley Borough Council, had expressed an interest in respect of the new role, and had submitted a supporting statement in that regard.

In accordance with the recruitment procedure approved by both councils, a stakeholder panel, facilitated by South East Employers, met with Mr Horwood on Monday 11 October, and gave structured feedback to the facilitator who then provided that to the Joint Appointments Committee before this meeting.

The Joint Appointments Committee conducted a structured interview with the candidate, which was preceded by a presentation from the candidate followed by open and structured questions.

After conducting the interview and taking into account the feedback received from the stakeholder panel, the Joint Appointments Committee was satisfied with Mr Horwood’s suitability for appointment as Joint Chief Executive of both Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils and accordingly

RECOMMEND (to Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council):

That the formal appointment of Mr Tom Horwood to the new post of Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service for both Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council be confirmed, subject to no well-founded objection being made by either of the two Council Leaders on behalf of their respective Executives.

Reason for recommendation:

To appoint a Joint Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, as part of the agreed collaboration arrangements between Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils.