Apologies for absence were received from Councillors O’Connor (substitute: Councillor Dent) and Terry (no substitute).Councillor Courtney (substitute Councillor McMahon).

There were no interests declared at the meeting.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 16^th January 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

To agree that, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the item of business set out below on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved:-

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below, on the grounds that they would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Committee interviewed candidates for the post of Director of Culture, Leisure and Tourism.

Resolved:

1. That, subject to the provisions of the Local Authorities Standing Orders (England) Regulations 2001 as incorporated in paragraph 5 of the Council’s Officer Employment Procedure Rules, the post of Director of Culture, Leisure and Tourism, be offered to Aida Esposito.  The  Committee agreed that if Aida Esposito declined, the post to be offered to Paul Cowell.

2. That the Chief Executive be authorised to offer the post outlined in 1 above to the candidate upon confirmation by the Leader that neither he nor any Cabinet Member has any objection to the making of such an offer.