Purpose

Interim Appointment:

Section 5 of the council’s Employment Procedure Rules, set out in the Constitution, states: 5. Appointment of Chief Officers, Interim Chief Officers and Deputy Chief Officers (Graded SM2) Subject to Rule 2(a) above:-

(a) a committee of the Council will appoint chief officers. The committee must include at least one member of the Executive. A sub-committee will appoint Deputy Chief graded SM2 or above. At least one member of the sub-committee must be a member of the Executive.

(b) the appointment of chief officers to organisations for whom the Council is the responsible authority, who would otherwise fall within the definition in (a) above, shall be appointed by a person or persons nominated by the Council for that purpose.

(c) the temporary filling of a vacancy for a post of chief officer or Deputy Chief Officer (SM2) for a period of no more than twelve months, shall be made by the Head of Paid Service from amongst the Council’s employees, and shall be in accordance with the Council’s Acting Up arrangements. Any appointment would be subject of a satisfactory performance review at month six of the appointment. The appropriate Cabinet Member shall be informed of the process and invited to be a Member of any interview panel.

(d) in the event of no suitable internal candidates for an interim appointment being identified, the Head of Paid Service may authorise that an external appointment shall be made for a period of no more than twelve months, subject to a satisfactory performance review at month six of the appointment.

The Interim Assistant Director of Children’s Commissioning, Partnerships and Improvement is defined as a Deputy Chief Officer role within the Council’s Constitution as the post reports directly to a Statutory Chief Officer.

Decision

Following a successful interview for the position, Mandip Chahal is appointed as Interim Assistant Director Children’s Commissioning, Partnerships and Improvement, acting up in the role for a period of up to six months.

Reasons for the decision

An interim appointment is necessary to cover the Assistant Directors post for up to six months to allow time for a review of the position and the current structure in the service area.

Alternative options considered

Acting up from internal resources is the most appropriate course of action at this time.