Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Paid Service seeking approval for the designation of a Monitoring Officer for the council.

36.1       Councillor Cook proposed the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Norman.

36.2       Councillor Hilton noted that this would be the fourth Monitoring Officer in a 12-month period. He stated that the Council were also two directors short. He stated that it would be useful to have received advice from the Local Government Association (LGA). He stated that it was important that the issue had a speedy resolution. He stated that it was vital to appoint a dedicated Monitoring Officer and that the Monitoring Officer was interviewed by Councillors at the Senior Appointments Committee.

36.3       Councillor Pullen stated that he agreed with Councillor Hilton. He stated that they needed continuity with a Monitoring Officer so Councillors can get to know the officer. He stated that there were proposals from the LGA as to what the make-up of the Senior Management Team could be. He stated that he believed that it may be beneficial if the new Monitoring Officer was included in the new Senior Management Structure. 

36.4       Councillor Norman stated that she had been in a leadership meeting where the topic of the Monitoring Officer being included in the Senior Management Structure was discussed. She stated that the administration would be working closely with the LGA, that the most qualified candidate would be hired, and that she would be keen to hear feedback from Councillor Pullen and Hilton as part of the Senior Appointments Committee.

36.5       Councillor Cook thanked members for their support of the motion.

36.6       RESOLVED that: - 

(1) Stephen Taylor be designated Monitoring Officer for the City Council in accordance with section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 with effect from 1 October for an interim period of up to 6 months but no more than 12 months.

(2) To enter into an agreement to second the above-mentioned officer from Stroud District Council to Gloucester City Council on terms to be agreed between Stroud District Council, Gloucester City Council and the officer.

(3) To delegate authority to the Managing Director to agree the terms of the secondment and to sign the secondment agreement on behalf of Gloucester City Council and to make any necessary consequential amendments to the Council’s Constitution arising from the agreed terms and any re-assignment of the current Monitoring Officer functions.

(4) To note that the Managing Director took an urgent decision on 13th August 2021 to appoint Jodie Townsend as Interim Monitoring Officer for the period 16 August 2021 until 30 September 2021.