NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Council

14th October 2020

Report of the Head of Human Resources

Matter for Decision

Wards Affected: All Wards

Appointment of Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning

Purpose of the Report:

To approve arrangements to recruit a Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning (ELLL).

Executive Summary:

This report seeks approval to implement arrangements to appoint a new Director of ELLL, following the retirement of the current postholder. The final appointment decision will be determined at a Special Council in December 2020.

Background:

The Council’s Director of ELLL, Mr Aled Evans, has recently advised the Council of his intention to retire in March 2021. This timescale provides the opportunity to make an appointment by December 2020, accommodating the notice period that the successful candidate may need to give to his or her current employer and allowing for a smooth transition to a new Director.

The Council’s Constitution sets out that the appointment of a Corporate Director, is the responsibility of full Council. The Special Appointments Committee (SAC) has responsibility for preparing a short-list of qualified applicants.

The Local Authorities Standing Orders (Wales) Amendment Regulations 2014 sets out the requirement for local authorities to advertise all vacant posts with a remuneration package that exceeds £100k per annum. The salary that currently applies to the post of Corporate Director is £109,837 - £118,447 (subject to any national pay award that may be agreed and applied w.e.f. 1st April 2021).

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It is proposed to advertise the position via national advertising and on-line media.

Selection process

The key dates and milestones are set out below:

Date	Milestone
22nd October 2020	Launch recruitment campaign
16th November 2020	Closing date for applications
26th November 2020	SAC Short-Listing Meeting
By 2nd December 2020	Psychometric Testing
3rd December 2020	Officer / Stakeholder Interviews
7th December 2020	Briefing with SAC Chair / Vice Chair
16th December 2020	SPECIAL COUNCIL for appointment decision

Financial Impacts:

Recruitment costs, which include the costs of advertising and specialist support with psychometric testing, are expected to be in the region of £15k.

Integrated Impact Assessment:

A first stage impact assessment has been undertaken to assist the Council in discharging its legislative duties (under the Equality Act 2010, the Welsh Language Standards (No.1) Regulations 2015, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

The first stage assessment, attached at Appendix 2, has indicated that a more in-depth assessment is not required. A summary is included below:

“A full impact is not required as there is no impact on any protected group. It also has no negative impact on bio-diversity or the Welsh Language”.

Valleys Communities Impacts:

No implications

Workforce Impacts:

This appointment process will be conducted in line with the Council’s Officer Employment Procedure Rules.

Legal Impacts:

No implications

Risk Management Impacts:

The timescale set out in this report and the use of specialist support, aims to mitigate against the risk of not being able to appoint in a timely manner.

Consultation:

There is no requirement for external consultation on this item.

Recommendations:

To approve arrangements to recruit a Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning as set out in the report.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

To ensure a timely transition to a new Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning.

Implementation of Decision:

The decision is for immediate implementation.

Appendices:

Appendix 1 – Integrated Impact Assessment

List of Background Papers:

The Constitution of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (Wales) Amendment Regulations 2014

Officer Contact:

Sheenagh Rees, Head of Human Resources, email: s.rees5@npt.gov.uk, telephone: 01639 763315