Agenda item
Appointment of an Interim Chief Executive Officer
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to approve the recommendation of the Performance & Appointments Committee that an interim officer be appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Head of Paid Service, with effect from 1 July 2025 and to commence the recruitment process to the permanent position of Chief Executive Officer and Head of Paid Service.
Recommendations
That the Council resolves to:
2. Appoint the interim Chief Executive Officer as the Council’s Head of Paid Service for the purposes of Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, from 1 July 2025 until a permanent Chief Executive Officer is appointed;
3. Approve the recommendation of the Selection Panel that the candidate, whose profile is shown in Annex A, is appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer (Head of Paid Service), Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer with effect from 1 July 2025 or as soon as practically possible after that date;
4. Appoint, in the event that the interim Chief Executive Officer is unable to take up the role with effect from 1 July 2025, David Stanley, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, to undertake the role of Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer until such time as the interim Chief Executive Officer is available to take up the role;
5. Authorise the Head of HR to commence the process of appointing a permanent Chief Executive Officer (Head of Paid Service) and Returning Officer / Electoral Registration Officer.
Minutes:
Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, thanked members for attending the extraordinary Council meeting and stated that this was a significant moment for the Council. The Leader explained that the Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Rob Weaver, had announced his intention to stand down and his last working day would be Monday 30 June 2025. The Leader thanked the Chief Executive Officer for his service and leadership, highlighting key achievements which included:
- The transition of several services back under Council control.
- Working successfully with partners across Gloucestershire, most recently to lay the groundwork for local government reorganisation.
- Leading initiatives to streamline Council operations and service delivery for residents.
With the administration’s key objectives achieved and the transition of services due to be largely complete on 1 July 2025, the Chief Executive Officer had concluded that the time was right to seek fresh challenges and spend more time with his young family. The Leader wished the Chief Executive well in his future endeavours.
The Leader explained that over recent weeks the focus had been on finding a suitable successor. This was an important decision for the Council in view of local government reorganisation. The Council needed a Chief Executive who could work with members to ensure that the interests of the residents were heard and to inform the collective proposals for reorganisation in Gloucestershire that would be submitted to the government later in the year. The Chief Executive would need to be able to guide and direct Council staff through the change and uncertainty that reorganisation brings. This was just one challenge; there was also a need to continue to serve residents over the coming years in an increasingly challenging financial environment and to deliver the Council’s priorities:
- Ensuring the efficient delivery of services
- Delivering affordable housing with sustainable infrastructure
- Supporting residents through the cost of living crisis
- Responding to the climate emergency
- Ensuring that communities thrive in a prosperous local economy.
The Leader was pleased to propose Jane Portman as Interim Chief Executive Officer, noting that the Selection Panel had been impressed by all aspects of the interview, as well as her credentials and background. The Leader believed that Jane Portman would bring fresh energy and clear leadership and looked forward to working with her.
Councillor Tom Stowe seconded the proposed appointment and paid tribute to the Head of HR for supporting the recruitment process. Councillor Stowe highlighted the recent changes in senior roles and the opportunities ahead. Jane Portman would bring a wealth of experience and a track record of leading organisations through a range of circumstances. It was felt that her experience resonated with the needs of the Council at the current time and that she would bring fresh thinking and constructive challenge at an important time.
The Director of Governance and Development explained that should Jane Portman be unable to start on 1 July 2025 then it was recommended that the Deputy Chief Executive Officer would step up temporarily as Head of Paid Service to cover any gap, hence the Deputy Chief Executive Officer was not in the room.
In questioning and debate, Council noted and highlighted:
- The important role of the Performance and Appointments Committee.
- The term of the interim appointment would be for 6 months but with an option to extend to up to 9 months without the need to come back to Council.
- The financial pressures and the challenge of local government reorganisation.
- The Interim Chief Executive would be coming to the role with valuable qualities and experience to guide the Council through challenging times ahead.
- Staff were being kept abreast of developments, and a staff briefing was planned for 7 July 2025. Thanks were given to the Head of Comms as well as the Head of HR for the communications that had gone out to staff.
The Leader clarified that Jane Portman was the name to be included in the first and third resolutions. While the Head of HR was confident that the appointee would be able to take up the role on 1 July 2025, it was suggested that Council agree the interim arrangements set out in recommendation 2 should the need arise because the Council had to have a Head of Paid Service.
The Chair drew Council’s attention to the recommendations. Having been proposed and seconded, the recommendations were put to a vote and agreed by Council.
RESOLUTION:
Council resolved to:
2. APPOINT the Interim Chief Executive Officer as the Council’s Head of Paid Service for the purposes of Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, from 1 July 2025 until a permanent Chief Executive Officer is appointed;
3. APPROVE the recommendation of the Selection Panel that Jane Portman is appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer (Head of Paid Service), Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer with effect from 1 July 2025 or as soon as practically possible after that date;
4. APPOINT, in the event that the Interim Chief Executive Officer is unable to take up the role with effect from 1 July 2025, David Stanley, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, to undertake the role of Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer until such time as the Interim Chief Executive Officer is available to take up the role;
5. AUTHORISE the Head of HR to commence the process of appointing a permanent Chief Executive Officer (Head of Paid Service) and Returning Officer / Electoral Registration Officer.
Supporting documents:
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Extraordinary Council Meeting CE appt 26062025 V2, item 17.
PDF 527 KB -
Annex A - Jane Portman - Profile, item 17.
PDF 168 KB