Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Senior Staff Panel meeting of Kingston upon Thames Council on 1 September 2025. The main item on the agenda was the interviewing of candidates for the position of Director of Governance and Law and Monitoring Officer. The panel was also scheduled to discuss the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting.

Appointment of Director of Governance and Law and Monitoring Officer

The Senior Staff Panel was scheduled to interview candidates shortlisted for the position of Director of Governance and Law and Monitoring Officer. According to the agenda, panel members were to be supplied with the interview schedule and supporting information separately.

The Monitoring Officer is responsible for ensuring that the council acts lawfully¹.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The agenda for the meeting of the Senior Staff Panel included a request to exclude the public from the meeting.

The reason stated in the agenda is that:

The Panel is asked to exclude the public from the meeting under Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it is likely that exempt information, as defined in paragraph(s) 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, would be disclosed and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The relevant sections of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 relate to information regarding individuals, financial and business affairs².