The Employment Committee met on Tuesday 30 September 2025 to discuss a number of staffing and remuneration issues. The committee approved the minutes from previous meetings, noted a decision made under the urgent business procedure, approved recommendations regarding the Local Pensions Partnership Limited Remuneration Report, and deferred a decision on Coroner salaries and fees. They also agreed to exclude the press and public from part of the meeting.

Report of a Decision Made under the Urgent Business Procedure

The committee noted a decision made under the urgent business procedure since their last meeting. The Chief Executive, in consultation with the former Chair and Deputy Chair of the Employment Committee, approved recommendations relating to the recruitment of the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer¹ and interim arrangements.

The circumstances that led to the urgent decision were that the person appointed to the role of Interim Director of Finance and Commerce, and Section 151 Officer, had to leave for unexpected personal reasons with immediate effect.

The recommendations that were approved were:

• Approval of the draft Job Description and Person Specification for the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer, subject to amendments following market engagement and feedback, in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Employment Committee.
• Approval of a market supplement of up to £30,000 per annum, if required, in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Employment Committee, to attract suitable experienced applicants.
• Approval of the use of an external specialist recruitment partner, Penna PLC Executive Search, for the appointment process.
• Approval to advertise the post externally as soon as possible, with a closing date of 19 October 2025.
• Approval of the recruitment timeline, noting the Employment Committee dates required for shortlisting and final assessment, and ensuring the same Employment Committee members are present at each stage.
• Approval for the Chief Executive to manage the process arrangements and longlisting of candidates to ensure efficient identification of suitable candidates for the committee's consideration at the shortlisting meeting.

The report noted that all political group spokespersons were informed of the decision being taken. Further information about the decision is available on the council's website.

Local Pensions Partnership Limited Remuneration Report

The committee approved recommendations regarding the Local Pensions Partnership Limited Remuneration Report. Robert McElvanney, Interim Head of Service Pension Fund Client, presented a private and confidential report providing an overview of the Local Pensions Partnership's Remuneration report to shareholders for the year ending 31 March 2025. The report explained how the remuneration policy and budget agreed with shareholders in April 2024 had been applied.

The report provided the committee with an opportunity to review the Local Pensions Partnership's remuneration performance throughout the 2024/25 financial year, particularly in relation to the remuneration policy approved by the previous committee in April 2024. The report had been presented for information only, and a decision would instead be sought next year, when the committee would be asked to consider and approve the remuneration policy applicable to the 2026/27 financial year.

Following discussion, the committee raised concerns regarding the bonuses being awarded to the Directors of Local Pension Partnership Investments and Local Pension Partnership Limited. Officers were asked to provide further benchmarking data and bonus criteria, to ensure value for money.

The committee resolved that:

following consideration of the remuneration matters summarised in this report including the Local Pensions Partnership Limited Remuneration Report provided at Appendix 'A' of the report, and taking into account the comments provided by the committee as detailed in the minutes, the appointment and remuneration of the Chair of the Local Pensions Partnership Limited Board and the appointment of the Shareholder Adviser/Non-Executive Director be noted.

Review of Coroner Salaries and Fees 2025/26

The committee deferred a decision on the review of Coroner Salaries and Fees 2025/26. Ann Edwards, Coroners Service Manager, presented a private and confidential report that set out the options relating to the 2025/26 pay award for the Senior, Area and Assistant Coroners' salaries and fees, in line with the committee's responsibility for determining the pay and terms and conditions of employment for Lancashire's Coroners.

Following a discussion, the committee requested additional benchmarking data to be provided on Coroner salaries, including how Lancashire compared with other areas. It was therefore agreed that the report be deferred to the committee's next meeting, to allow for additional time to review the additional supplementary benchmarking data.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee agreed to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the Review of Coroner Salaries and Fees 2025/26 and the Local Pensions Partnership Limited Remuneration Report.

Minutes of the Meetings held on 26 June 2025 and 15 July 2025

The committee resolved that the minutes of the Employment Committee meetings held on 26 June 2025 and 15 July 2025 be confirmed as an accurate record.