The Chief Officers Employment Committee of Cornwall Council scheduled a meeting to discuss the Chief Executive's mid-year appraisal, and the recruitment of a Chief Operating Officer. The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes of previous meetings. Much of the meeting was scheduled to be held behind closed doors, with the press and public excluded.

Recruitment of Chief Operating Officer

The committee was scheduled to discuss the recruitment of a Chief Operating Officer (Section 151 Officer¹). This was listed as 'Part 2' of the discussion, and a supplemental agenda was issued with additional information relating to the interview candidates.

Minutes from the 13 November 2025 meeting indicate that Councillor Andrew Mitchell, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources and Group Leader - Independent Group, seconded by Councillor Leigh Frost, Leader of the Council & Group Leader - Liberal Democrat Group, proposed that the proposed arrangements, including process and timescale, for the recruitment of a permanent Chief Operating Officer and Section 151 Officer, be approved. It was further moved by Councillor Martyn Alvey, Deputy Group Leader - Conservative Group, seconded by Councillor Andrew Mitchell, that the COEC agrees the candidates who will be longlisted to proceed to the next stage of the selection process.

Mid-year Appraisal of the Chief Executive

Councillor Leigh Frost, Leader of the Council & Group Leader - Liberal Democrat Group, was scheduled to present a report regarding the mid-year appraisal of the Chief Executive for 2025/26.

The report pack included a recommendation:

That the Committee's responsibilities associated with the assessment of the contribution of the Chief Executive and the performance and development objectives for the Chief Executive are noted.

The report stated that the purpose of the discussion was to provide reassurance that there are effective arrangements in place for the appraisal of the council's Chief Executive. According to the report, the Leader of the Council will consult with COEC members on the content of the report at the meeting.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The agenda included a request to exclude the press and public from parts of the meeting. The stated reason was:

The Committee is asked to consider a resolution that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the business specified in the following item(s) on the grounds that there is likely to be a disclosure to the public of exempt information of the following descriptions:

1. Information relating to an individual
2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

The agenda stated that this exclusion was compliant with the public interest test provisions in the Local Government Act 1972².

Approval of Minutes

The committee was scheduled to approve the minutes from the meetings held on 13 November 2025 and 21 November 2025.