Agenda item

To consider a joint report by the Corporate Director: Economy and Public Realm and the Head of Legal, HR & Democratic Services (copy attached) to seek Council’s approval of the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company.

Councillor Gwyneth Kensler declared a personal interest as Craig Kensler is a member of Denbigh Leisure Centre and she attends both Theatre Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh and Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl.

The Lead Member for Wellbeing and Independence introduced the Implementation of an Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) for various leisure related activities/functions: composition of Board of Directors (previously circulated) to seek Council’s approval of the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company, the appointment of a number of Directors, and the method by which the remaining Directors would be appointed.

On 30 May 2019, Council approved the creation of a not for profit Local Authority Trading Company Limited by Guarantee as an alternative delivery model for the provision of leisure services on behalf of the Council.

There was no statutory requirement as to the size of the Board of Directors.  Within the Business Case it was suggested there be a Board of seven Directors.  It was proposed the Board of Directors would be as follows:

·         Corporate Director: Economy and Public Realm

·         Managing Director

·         Lead Member for Well-being and Independence

·         Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement

·         Non-Cabinet Member, and

·         Independent Directors x 2

It was suggested the appointment of a non-Cabinet member be made with business experience and/or interest in the leisure sector.  Nominations had been sought and nominees to submit their nomination setting out the reasons why they met the role description to the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services by 12 noon on Friday 11 October 2019.  One nomination had been received and circulated to all members in advance of the Council meeting.

The nomination received had been from Councillor Peter Prendergast who had submitted his CV which included all his relevant business experience.

At this juncture, Councillor Joan Butterfield proposed Councillor Peter Prendergast to sit on the Board of Directors and the proposal was seconded.

The remaining two Director positions were to be filled by independent persons to be recruited by open advertisement.  It was proposed that one of the roles be advertised with an emphasis on persons with a commercial leisure/finance background, and the second with an emphasis on persons with a community development/leisure background. 

A recruitment panel of three elected members nominated by Council together with the Managing Director, the Corporate Director and support from HR would shortlist and interview prospective candidates.  The recruitment panel would then make a recommendation of an appointment to Council for approval.

At this juncture, Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill proposed Councillor Hugh Irving to sit on the recruitment panel and the proposal was seconded.

Councillor Joan Butterfield proposed Councillors Graham Timms and Brian Blakeley to sit on the recruitment panel and the proposal was seconded.

RESOLVED that:

·         Council approves the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company as set out in paragraph 4.8 of the report and formally appoints the Corporate Director: Economy and Public Realm, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, the Lead Member for Education and Children’s Services and the Managing Director as Directors of the Company.

·         The Council appoints Councillor Peter Prendergast who is not a Cabinet Member to be a Director of the Company

·         The Council approves the proposed recruitment process for the appointment of two Independent Directors and appoints Councillors Brian Blakeley, Hugh Irving and Graham Timms to sit on the recruitment panel as set out in paragraph 4.7 of the report

·         Council confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 1 Ref no 564), as part of its consideration.