The Council of Redbridge Council met on Thursday 25 February 2021 to discuss the appointment of an interim Chief Executive and Head of the Paid Service. The report pack indicated that the meeting was scheduled to consider a recommendation from the Appointments Committee regarding this appointment.

Appointment of Interim Chief Executive and Head of the Paid Service

The meeting was scheduled to consider the appointment of an interim Chief Executive and Head of the Paid Service. This role became vacant in December 2020 following the resignation of the previous Chief Executive, Mr Donald. An interim recruitment campaign began in January 2021, involving five executive recruitment agencies: Faerfield, Green Park, Solace, Starfish, and Tile Hill.

Following an initial submission of eight CVs, which were reviewed by the Leader of the Council with advice from the Chief Executive and Assistant Director of Employee Experience, four applications were advanced. One candidate subsequently withdrew, leaving three to be interviewed by the Appointments Committee. These three candidates also had informal discussions with the current Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council.

On 5 February 2021, the Appointments Committee interviewed the three shortlisted candidates. The committee unanimously agreed to recommend Lesley Seary for the position of interim Chief Executive and Head of the Paid Service. This recommendation was to be presented to the full Council for final approval, as required by Standing Orders 70.A.1, 73.4, and 73.6(a). No objections were received from the Cabinet.

The report pack outlined the fairness implications of the appointment process, referencing section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, which requires due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between people with and without protected characteristics. The protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. The report also noted the council's current workforce composition regarding minority groups in the top 5% of earners.

Financially, the proposed salary for the interim Chief Executive was £180,000 per annum, pro rata for four days a week, equating to £144,000 per annum. The estimated total cost for external recruitment support was a maximum of £26,000. These costs were to be met from existing Strategy directorate budgets.

Legally, the appointment of the Head of Paid Service is reserved to the Council by Standing Order 70.A.1, and the appointment of the Chief Executive is similarly reserved by Standing Order 73.4. Article 11 of the Council's Constitution designates the Chief Executive as the Head of Paid Service, responsible for coordinating the discharge of the Council's functions, corporate management, and the departmental structure. The Chief Executive also holds the role of Returning Officer for elections and referendums.