Agenda item

(a)       That Julia Hughes be appointed by the Council to the Standards Committee until 2022; and

(b)       That Noella Jones be thanked for her participation.

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the report on the Appointment of an Independent Member to the Standards Committee. There was one vacancy on the Committee for an independent (co-opted) member and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority (NWFRA) had two such vacancies. 

The Council had undertaken a joint recruitment exercise with the NWFRA with the costs of advertising being shared.  The vacancies were advertised in the local press, on the website and on social media.  There were 8 applicants who were shortlisted against criteria that had previously been approved by County Council.  He was in communication with one of the applicants who had not been shortlisted and who believed the process had been flawed.

Five candidates were invited to interview by a panel which agreed to recommend Julia Hughes to both Flintshire County Council and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority (NWFRA) with Sally Ellis being recommended for the second vacancy on the NWFRA.  Given the appointment to Julia Hughes to both the Standards Committee and the NWFRA, this would allow the two authorities to share the investment in training, provide her with a wider experience and also cross fertilise between the two organisations.

Councillor Carver said he had been contacted by one of the applicants who had not been shortlisted and he expressed his concerns about the recruitment process and the low number of applicants.  He queried why on the advert it was stated that travelling and subsistence could be claimed for, but it did not state the remuneration of £99 for half a day or £198 for a full day which he felt may have put people off from applying.  He also referred to the successful applicant being a serving member on the Standards Committee at Denbighshire County Council since 2015 and asked if that two year term that had been served would be taken off the term of office at Flintshire and whether or not it would be a disadvantage serving on two different Standards Committees.  He moved deferral of the item for it to be considered by the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee.  This was seconded by Councillor Hardcastle.

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained that compared to previous occasions when applications have been sought, this time a good response had been received.  Alongside the advert was a full application pack which provided more detailed information, including the remuneration rates as set by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.  He confirmed that if a member served on another Councils Standards Committee, this did not disbar them from being a member nor did affect their term of office.  It would also bring an added depth of experience.  He added that the recruitment process had been followed correctly as laid down in legislation and he took the opportunity to thank the Chair of Standards Committee, Councillor Arnold Woolley and the lay person, Noella Jones, for being on the Panel.

On being put to the vote, the amendment for deferral was lost.

On being put to the vote, the substantive motion was carried.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Julia Hughes be appointed by the Council to the Standards Committee until 2022; and

(b)       That Noella Jones be thanked for her participation.