Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at: http://council.webcast.vualto.com/leicestershire-county-council/home?EventId=21785

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

The Police and Crime Commissioner and the Candidate for the post of Chief Executive Officer have been invited to attend this session.

A copy of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s report on the appointment is attached.

A document explaining the process to be followed at the Confirmatory Hearing will be circulated separately.

The Police and Crime Panel considered a report of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) in regard to its proposed appointment of Mr. Paul Hindson to the post of Chief Executive Officer. A copy of the report of the OPCC, marked ‘Agenda Item 3’, is filed with these minutes.

The Chairman welcomed the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Mr. Paul Hindson to the Hearing. Officers and Panel members each introduced themselves to Mr. Hindson.

The Chairman outlined the process to be adhered to, taking those present through a process document which had been circulated to all members.

The Chairman invited the PCC to explain the recruitment process for the Chief Executive Officer role and why he chose Mr. Hindson for the post. The PCC stated that applicants were required to undertake a psychometric test, be assessed by a Community Panel and attend a formal interview. The PCC stated that Mr. Hindson was an outstanding candidate who had successfully completed all aspects of the recruitment process. In the view of the PCC Mr. Hindson was extremely well qualified for the role as he had previously carried out several senior jobs in the criminal justice arena including working for Probation, he had been an advisor to Central Government and also had private sector experience as well.

(The PCC left the room.)

The Chairman invited Mr. Hindson to explain why he chose to undertake the role of Chief Executive Officer and how he felt he was qualified for the role. Mr. Hindson explained that he was attracted to jobs which were about increasing social value to the public, and that the role with the OPCC involved more engagement with the community than his previous jobs. Mr. Hindson said that he also felt the role would challenge him which was a positive. Mr. Hindson said that he felt he had the skills and experience to carry out the role due to his previous leadership experience. Mr. Hindson stated that he would bring to the role a range of qualities such as leadership skills, determination, creativity and the ability to carry out tasks in a different way, and the ability to work collaboratively.

The Panel then questioned Mr. Hindson regarding his suitability for the post under the following key headings:

·                     Professional Competence;

·                     Personal Independence.

Arising from questioning, the Panel noted the following points made by Mr. Hindson:

(i)        An example of Mr Hindson’s ability to strategically plan was his work with the national development of Offender Management. This work required him to write a strategy and visit prisons promoting the work and dealing with issues that had arisen. As part of this work Mr. Hindosn took account of potential developments which were on the horizon and was prepared to adapt should circumstances change.

(ii)       Mr Hindson preferred a collaborative management style which involved providing clarity on other people’s roles and what he expected of them. He also liked to help develop colleagues professionally and encourage them to gain new skills.

(iii)      Mr. Hindson’s leadership skills were further developed whilst carrying out a change programme for 2 private companies, and whilst employed by Working Links he was required to manage culture changes whilst governed by a strict statutory and contractual framework. Whilst employed by Interserve Mr. Hindson designed new ways of working and made his vision as clear as possible. Changes were developed collaboratively by service users and those working on the front line.

(iv)      In order to stay up to date with policy and guidance from central government Mr. Hindson stated that he would maintain regular contact with ministers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The public are likely to be excluded during the following item of business in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972:-

Panel Deliberations on the Proposed Appointment of a Chief Executive Officer.

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 3 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act specified below and that, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

·           Panel Deliberations on the Proposed Appointment of a Chief Executive Officer.

Following the deliberations the Chairman of the Panel will write to the PCC on the next working day, following the Confirmation Hearing, to outline the decision and recommendations of the Panel. The Candidate will also be sent a copy of the letter.

The Panel, having gone into exempt session, considered the statement and answers provided by Mr. Paul Hindson to their questions, in addition to the introduction provided by the PCC and all relevant paperwork provided.

RESOLVED:

That, in light of the responses given relating to the professional competence and personal independence required of the post of Chief Executive Officer, the Panel has no hesitation in agreeing to endorse the PCC’s appointment of Mr. Paul Hindson to the post of Chief Executive Officer.