The Monitoring Officer reminded the Committee that the term of the current independent persons had been extended to September 2026.  He further advised that it had previously been agreed to consider widening the opportunity to other potentially interested individuals, without undertaking a potentially lengthy and unsuccessful recruitment exercise. 

The Monitoring Officer said that he had approached Maidstone Borough Council’s Independent Person, Mr Harrison, who had extensive experience at other authorities as Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer, and who currently acted as the Independent Person for another local authority out of the area.  He advised that Mr Harrison had shown an interest in the Swale Borough Council Independent role and he sought Members’ views on whether they wished to pursue this option or put forward alternative proposals.

Members were invited to make comments which included:

·         Sought clarification on the experience held by Mr Harrison;

·         supported an independent person with relevant experience; and

·         sought clarification on the typical number of Independent Persons appointed by a local authority.

After a question from a Member, the Monitoring Officer advised that the recent advertisement on social media was for independent people to sit on the Remuneration Panel and that another option was to seek interest from those appointed to sit on that panel if Members wished to purse that option.

There followed a debate on the process of appointing Mr Harrison and Members discussed whether it was necessary for a report to be presented to the Standards Committee as the decision would be debated at Full Council.

The Chair said that with the complexities of LGR on the horizon, an independent person with experience would be very beneficial and she proposed Mr Harrison be appointed as an Independent Person from September 2026 for three years. Councillor James Hunt seconded the proposal and on being put the vote, Members agreed.

During further debate on the re-appointment of the two existing independent persons, Members considered it would be worthwhile having three independent persons and the Monitoring Officer then advised that it would be prudent for a report to be recommended by the Standards Committee, before being determined by Full Council.

A Member raised whether there would be resource issues if all three independent persons needed to be briefed on a case. The Monitoring Officer suggested that retaining three could allow a choice for each to sit on matters to which they were best suited and that it would be wise to advise the existing independent persons in advance that they and an additional person would be recommended to Council to sit as independent persons because of the potential complexities of LGR and to give the existing independent persons the opportunity to confirm if they wished to continue in the role.

The originator of the recommendation proposed an alteration that all three individuals be recommended to be determined to sit as independent person on the Standards Committee by Full Council.  The seconder and Members agreed.

Resolved:

(1)  That it be recommended to Council to appoint the existing Independent Persons, Mr Christopher Webb and Mrs Patricia Richards, together with Mr Alan Harrison, as Independent Persons for a period of three years from September 2026, or until the cessation of Swale Borough Council, whichever was earlier.