To consider the report of the Managing Director.
Minutes:
Having regard to the views expressed by the Proper Officer regarding the public interest test, that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and that the report should be exempt.
RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst this item of business is transacted as it is likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 15, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).
Consideration was given to the report of the Managing Director.
At the invitation of the Chair, the Managing Director spoke briefly to the report which had been presented to seek approval to the proposed redesign and recruitment of the role of the Corporate Director of Education and to confirm the temporary ‘acting up’ arrangements put in place as a matter of urgency due to the pending retirement of the current Corporate Director of Education.
The Managing Director concluded by advising Members that the preferred recommendation was Option 1 as detailed within the report.
The Executive Member for Education commenced by placing on record her appreciation to the retiring Corporate Director of Education, Lynette Jones for the dedication and commitment she had given to the role over the years, and said that education was in a far different place as a result of her efforts. The Executive Member expressed her very best wishes to Lynette on her forthcoming retirement.
The Executive Member continued by stating that given the current circumstances a timescale for the permanent recruitment process was unable to be provided but this would be undertaken as soon as reasonable and practical to do so. She was confident that the interim Corporate Director was more than capable of taking forward education during this turbulent time.
The Executive Member for Education concluded by referring to the wonderful response received from the Education Team in light of the current situation and expressed her appreciation to officers for the work undertaken during this difficult time.
The views of Members were, thereupon, sought in relation to the report.
Member No. 1
A Member commenced by stating that she had been surprised at the preferred option that was being recommended. She explained that during the time that education was in special measures, the role of Corporate Director had been advertised on the lower rate of pay and whilst numerous applications had been received, a successful appointment had not been made. As a consequence, the Council had unanimously agreed to re-advertise the job for a second time with a market supplement to attract the right calibre of candidate and on this occasion a successful appointment was subsequently made.
The successful candidate on the second occasion had been Lynette Jones who had done an amazing job turning education around and playing a major part in helping education out of special measures.
The Member pointed out that having to undertake this recruitment process twice had cost the Council a considerable amount of money and if this course of action was repeated by removing the current market supplement it would again be a waste of time and money.
In addition, she expressed her concern that Education was a large portfolio and if additional duties were to be included within the role i.e. client side of Leisure and Culture this could be problematic on times as in the current climate when focus was solely needed on education alone. The Member concluded by stating that she did not agree with the recommended proposal.
Member No. 2
Another Member stated that he would also be endorsing Option 2 for the same reasons outlined by his colleague above and said that whilst education had progressed, it was not ‘out of the woods yet’. Members had to remember that times had moved on since the last appointment and current salaries had increased for example, the salary of a head teacher in Blaenau Gwent was over £100,000 and the average salary for a secondary head teacher was £125,000. Therefore, the right calibre of candidate would not be secured for the salary that was on offer.
In the meantime, whilst the Head of Education Transformation was doing an excellent job but the substantive post should be filled as soon as possible because when ‘normality’ resumed children would have been out of school for a considerable period of time and some would have missed their opportunity to improve their grades and would have to receive predictive grades. He concluded by proposing that Option 2 be endorsed. This proposal was seconded.
Member No. 3
Another Member said that during 2012 education had been placed in special measures, and during that time the Council had appointed numerous Directors of Education including sharing a Corporate Director with another local authority. However, it was not until the current Corporate Director had been appointed that clarity was brought to the table and Lynette had played a major part in helping education out of special measures. He continued by stating that he would not wish the Council to go through this unpleasant experience again and, therefore, warned against approving Option 1 because the Council needed to secure the best candidate for the role.
The Member concluded by placing on record his appreciation to the retiring Corporate Director of Education, Lynette Jones for the work undertaken during her time in the role.
Member No. 4
A Member said that he had witnessed the turmoil and carnage that special measures had brought to the Council and pointed out that it had not only affected education but the whole of the Council and it was not until Lynette Jones was appointed that the Council had found stability. He had concerns that the authority would not attract the right candidate under Option 1 and asked whether the Executive Member – Education was confident that if this option was approved that the Council would attract the right calibre of candidate for the role.
The Executive Member – Education stated that given the tremendous amount of work undertaken by Lynette, education and Council was in a very different position from where it had been and she was confident that good quality candidates would be attracted to apply for the role.
Leader of the Labour Group
The Leader of the Labour Group said that it was important to state that the comments made by the Members of the Labour Group had been borne out of experience and took into account the Recovery Board’s and Welsh Government’s views to attract the right candidates to Blaenau Gwent as Education had been one of the main priorities for the Group during that time.
The Leader of the Labour Group stated that whilst he proposed that Option 2 be endorsed, he confirmed that the Labour Group did support the interim ‘acting up’ arrangements that had been put in place.
Leader of the Council
The Leader of the Council commenced by stating that he understood some of the comments that colleagues from the Labour Group had made but advised that to proceed with the recruitment process at this present time would be unwise. He agreed with the sentiments of the Executive Member for Education i.e. that Blaenau Gwent itself was now in a far better position particularly in education and he paid tribute and expressed his appreciation to Lynette Jones who was one of the hardest workers and most driven people he had ever come across, and the successes in education were Lynette’s successes. Blaenau Gwent was appropriately placed to attract people to live and work in the area.
All factors had been taken into account by the Managing Director and she would not do anything to place the authority in a precarious position and Members needed to have faith and confidence in her. Whilst the Executive Member was new in the role she had also considered all factors and she was very much in unison with the Managing Director.
The Leader continued by advising that the market supplement could be used a ‘fall back’ position if an appointment was unable to be made. If the role was advertised immediately with a market supplement, Members needed to consider the message that this may send to the other Corporate Directors.
The Leader concluded by stating that at the appropriate juncture he would be strongly supporting Option 1.
As the meeting was teleconferenced and an amendment had been tabled, it was agreed a recorded vote be undertaken in respect of amended Option 2 only:
Option 2:
- That the Council proceed to recruit to the role of the Corporate Director of Education as it currently stood with a market supplement and no additions to the job description.
- The temporary ‘acting up’ arrangements be supported.
In Favour – Councillors P. Baldwin, D. Bevan, K. Hayden, H. McCarthy, J. C. Morgan, T. Sharrem, T. Smith, S. Thomas, H. Trollope, B. Willis and L. Winnett.
Against – Councillors J. Collins, M. Cook, N. Daniels, D. Davies, G. A. Davies, M. Day, P. Edwards, S. Healy, J. Hill, W. Hodgins, M. Holland, J. Mason, C. Meredith, M. Moore, J. P. Morgan, L. Parsons, G. Paulsen, K. Pritchard, K. Rowson, B. Summers, G. Thomas and J. Wilkins.
This proposal was not carried.
RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report which related to information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the Authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the Authority be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely that the following proposals be approved:
· The role of Corporate Director of Education be redesigned, salary range £80,046 – £88,048 per annum (Pay Award Pending).
· The current market supplement be removed with immediate effect.
· The Head of Education Transformation be temporarily appointed from the 30th March, 2020 pending the recruitment process for a permanent appointment.
A Member expressed his appreciation to the Chair for managing the meeting under difficult circumstances.