Hampshire County Council Extraordinary County Council Meeting

Due to the specific circumstances of this particular meeting as referred to above, apologies were not required.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 1, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

The Chairman had no announcements on this occasion.

The Council considered the report of the Member Appointment Panel (Item 4 in the Minute Book), as presented by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Rob Humby recommending Carolyn Williamson be appointed as the next Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council.

Firstly, the Deputy Leader took the opportunity to thank to all Group Leaders for their co-operation in agreeing to reduced attendance in order to hold a Covid-safe meeting within Government guidelines.  The Deputy Leader also extended thanks to all officers involved in putting these arrangements in place.

The Deputy Leader reported that an experienced firm of consultants were commissioned to carry out an executive search process resulting in a long list of 10 candidates.  A shortlist of four high calibre candidates were interviewed by a Member Panel who reached the unanimous decision to recommend Carolyn to all Members of the Council for appointment.

Carolyn joined the County Council in 2010 as Director of Corporate Resources and became the County Council’s Deputy Chief Executive in 2017.  As well as ably steering the County Council’s finances during very challenging times, Carolyn has achieved a number of significant successes such as the implementation of inter-agency shared services, leading Connect 2 Hampshire and, alongside her County Council role, a term as President of CIPFA.

The Deputy Leader confirmed that Carolyn had stood out against a very strong field of candidates and had demonstrated energy, intelligence and passion for the job which had led to the Panel’s unanimous decision.

In response, Carolyn thanked all Members for their confidence, confirmed she was delighted to take up the role of Chief Executive and looked forward to working with all Members to help steer the Council through the times ahead.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:

a)     approves the appointment of Carolyn Williamson as Chief Executive of

Hampshire County Council

b)   delegates authority to the current Chief Executive, in consultation with the

Chairman of the Employment in Hampshire County Council Committee

(EHCC), for the setting of the salary of the new Chief Executive, to be

reflective of the current rate of the role.