Issue - meetings

The Council received a report on the appointment of Chief Executive.  Councillor Azad moved and Councillor Ashall seconded the recommendation before the Council, namely the appointment of Julie Fisher as Chief Executive. 

The matter had been considered at a Special Council meeting held on 7 January 2021 at which the Members had resolved to defer consideration of the appointment to give Members the opportunity to meet Julie Fisher.  An all-Member private meeting with Julie Fisher had therefore been held on Thursday, 14 January 2021.

Councillor Azad introduced the report, drawing attention to the key challenges faced by the Council and the importance of the role played by the Chief Executive.  The recommendation to appoint Julie Fisher was strongly commended to the Council, with the Leader of the Council noting Julie’s long and valued roles in Local Government with Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council.

The proposal before the Council was debated and several Councillors expressed their dissatisfaction with the process adopted by the Council.  Other Councillors, however, warmly welcomed the proposal, noting that Julie had clearly demonstrated her suitability for the post during the recruitment process.  Following the discussion and in accordance with Standing Order 10.8, the names of Members voting for and against the recommendation were recorded.  The Mayor advised that she would not be voting.

In favour:                       Councillors S Ashall, A Azad, D Bittleston, G Cundy, K Davis, G Elson, D Harlow, K Howard, D Hughes, S Hussain, I Johnson, C Kemp, R Leach, L Lyons, N Martin, R Mohammed, L Morales, M I Raja, C Rana and J Sanderson.

Total in favour:              20

Abstained:                     Councillors M Ali, T Aziz, A-M Barker, J Bond, A Boote, M Bridgeman, G Chrystie.

Total abstained:            7

Present not voting:       The Mayor, Councillor Mrs B A Hunwicks

The recommendation was therefore carried by 20 votes in favour and no votes against.  Seven Councillors abstained from voting.

(NOTE: Councillor Forster joined the meeting after the vote had been taken.)

RESOLVED

That Julie Fisher be appointed as the Council’s Chief Executive with effect from 1 April 2021.

Julie Fisher re-joined the meeting following the decision of Council and The Mayor congratulated Julie on her appointment.  Julie advised that she was honoured and delighted with the appointment and looked forward to working with the staff, Councillors and partners of Woking Borough Council.

The Council received a report on the appointment of Chief Executive which set out the process adopted for the recruitment of a new Chief Executive.  At the end of the process, the Interview Panel had identified two candidates who were both considered to be well suited for the position.  The Leader of the Council had agreed to put both candidates forward for a further interview by the Appointment Panel with all Members of the Council prior to the formal Council meeting.  Both candidates were invited to attend the further interview, one of whom subsequently withdrew from the process.  As a result, the additional interview was cancelled and the report recommended the appointment of the remaining candidate.

Councillor Azad moved and Councillor Ashall seconded the recommendation before the Council, namely the appointment of Julie Fisher as Chief Executive.

Several concerns over the process adopted were raised and Councillor Barker advised that a number of Councillors felt that a further interview should be held with Julie Fisher before the Council reached a decision to enable those Councillors not involved in the interview process to ask questions.  In view of this, Councillor Barker moved and Councillor Hughes seconded that:

“Council notes

Council is the determining authority in the appointment of a new CEO.

Councillors were anticipating the opportunity to choose between two candidates.

We must consider both the individual involved and the future operation of the Council in making any decision.

A number of councillors would like to know more about the final candidate before reaching a decision.

Council resolves

To defer the CEO appointment today and facilitate a session, such as would have been arranged for 2 candidates, for the remaining candidate, within the next month.”

The amendment was debated before moving to the vote.  In accordance with Standing Order 10.8 the names of Members voting for and against the amendment were recorded.  The Mayor advised that, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, she would be voting.

In favour: Councillors M Ali, T Aziz, A-M Barker, J Bond, A Boote, M Bridgeman, G Chrystie, W Forster, K Howard, D Hughes, I Johnson, R Leach, L Lyons, L Morales, M I Raja and J Sanderson.

Total in favour: 16

Against: The Mayor, Councillor Mrs Hunwicks, Councillors S Ashall, A Azad, D Bittleston, G Cundy, K Davis, G Elson, D Harlow, S Hussain, C Kemp, N Martin, R Mohammed, C Rana, and M Whitehand.

Total against: 14

Present not voting:.

The amendment was therefore carried by 16 votes in favour to 14 votes against.

RESOLVED

That the CEO appointment be deferred and a session facilitated such as would have been arranged for 2 candidates, for the remaining candidate, within the next month.

The Leader of the Council advised that, in light of the decision taken, an opportunity for all Members to ask questions of Julie Fisher would be arranged in advance of the Executive meeting on 14 January 2021.  A further Special Meeting of Council would be held on the evening  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5