To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd April 2004.

 The Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd April, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED:             That in accordance with Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1,7 and 9 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

To consider the report submitted to Council on 28^th July 2004, together with a note from the Council’s Principal Assistant Solicitor, including Counsel’s opinion.

Council at its meeting held on 28^th July, 2004 had considered a report prepared by the Leader of the Council regarding a review of Chief Officers pay undertaken by an Independent Consultant, N. Rollo, together with Legal Counsel’s Advice relating to the sufficiency and adequacy of information contained in the report and any procedural issues arising from the Constitution of the Council.  Council had referred the matter to the Employment Issues Panel to consider a number of matters as suggested by Counsel.

The Leader of the Council and N. Rollo were present at the meeting to give their views and answer Member’s questions.

The Panel considered in detail the reports previously submitted to Council together with Counsel’s Opinion, a note prepared by the Council’s Principal Assistant Solicitor in relation to Counsel’s Opinion and a report prepared by N. Rollo setting out further information in response to comments contained within Counsel’s Opinion (for copies see file of Minutes).  The Panel also considered a verbal presentation from the Leader of the Council in relation to the background of the review and comments contained within Counsel’s Opinion.

After giving their presentations and answering the Panel’s questions the Leader of the Council and N. Rollo left the meeting while the Panel considered its recommendation to Council.

Following careful examination and consideration of the documentation and presentations the Panel supported the recommendations of the Independent Consultant.     

RECOMMENDED :                      That Council approve the recommendations                                                    contained within the Independent consultants

                                                       report.