Agenda and minutes

            The minutes of the meeting held on 21^st July 2006, having been printed and circulated, were taken as read and agreed as a correct record.

The Committee considered:

(1)            whether Members of the press and public should be excluded from the meeting of the Committee during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it was likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be considered, exempt information would be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972; and

(2)            whether the disclosure of information was in the public interest, whether any relevant exemptions were applicable and whether, when applying the public interest test and exemptions, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed that in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED: That as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Sub-Section 4 of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 because it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business, exempt information will be disclosed, being information defined in Section 100 (1) and paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

            The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director – Environment regarding the management and operation of the Highways and Transportation Department.

            Members discussed the success of the division and the possible impact of the proposed amendments. However, it was noted that the restructuring dealt with the need for succession planning and built on the proven strengths and expertise within the department.

            RESOLVED: That

(a)               the 14 existing posts shown in Appendix B of the report be deleted from the establishment with effect from 31^st March 2007 and three of the existing post holders be placed at risk in accordance with the Council’s procedures;

(b)               the 10 new posts shown in Appendix B of the report be added to the establishment with effect from 1^st April 2007;

(c)               the Strategic Director – Environment, in consultation with the Operational Director – Human Resources, be authorised to take such steps as are necessary to secure the implementation of the changes by 1^st April 2007 having regard to transitional issues; and

(d)               Alan West (Operational Director – Highways and Transportation), Stephen Leng (Divisional Manager – Highways) and Tony Wilkinson (Section Leader – Maintenance) be retired in the interests of the efficiency of the Authority.