Agenda item

To receive the report of the Head of Paid Service which seeks to designate a Monitoring Officer.

20.1       Council considered a report of the Head of Paid Service concerning the designation of a new Monitoring Officer.

20.2       Councillor James moved the recommendations set out in the report and advised that Jonathan Lund had eight years’ experience in the role of Monitoring Officer and that his appointment would save the Council £20,000. He thanked Shirin Wotherspoon for her work during her time in the role.

20.3       Councillor Dallimore seconded the motion.

20.4       Councillor Hilton reported that the Senior Appointments Committee had unanimously agreed to support Jonathan Lund’s appointment in light of his experience and the subsequent savings. He thanked Shirin Wotherspoon and asked whether the £20,000 represented new savings or were already part of the budget.

20.5       Councillor Haigh echoed the thanks paid to Shirin Wotherspoon and stated that she supported the appointment on the proviso that independent legal advice would continue to be available.

20.6       Councillor James confirmed that the £20,000 represented new savings that would help towards achieving the challenging savings targets that the Council had to meet.

20.7       RESOLVED –

(1)       That Jonathan Lund, Corporate Director, be designated as Monitoring Officer for the City Council in accordance with section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 with immediate effect.

(2)       That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to vary the secondment agreement between Gloucester City Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council (One Legal) and Shirin Wotherspoon to provide legal advice and related services to the Monitoring Officer including, but not only, the services of a legally qualified Deputy Monitoring Officer.