Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive which provided information on the process to be undertaken to hold a confirmation hearing for the post of Chief of Staff and also considered a report from the Police and Crime Commissioner for the proposed candidate for the post of Chief Executive (Chief of Staff) for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham (for copy see file of Minutes).

Mr Ron Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham informed the Panel about the procedure and process undertaken for the appointment process to the post of Chief of Staff.

The Panel then questioned Mr Reiss via a telephone conference on issues around the following issues:

·       The main areas of his expertise which would enable him to undertake the Chief of Staff role effectively;

·       Who he regarded as the key stakeholders he would work with within the role and sought examples of working in partnership with a range of organisations, partnerships and agencies;

·       His course of action if the Commissioner was preparing to do something he felt unwise;

·       How he aimed to win the confidence of all key partners whilst maintaining personal integrity; and

·       How he would ensure a constructive relationship between the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Panel was maintained.

Mr Reiss provided the Panel with full responses to all questions asked.

The Panel thanked Mr Hogg for his attendance and Mr Reiss for partaking in the telephone conference, and moved into closed session.

Resolved:

That under Section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following discussion on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the said Act.

The Panel discussed the Police and Crime Commissioners recommendation to appoint Alan Reiss as Chief of Staff.  It was Moved by Councillor Boyes, Seconded by Councillor Jones and

Resolved:

That the Panel endorse the appointment of Alan Reiss to the post of Chief of Staff for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham Constabulary in accordance with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.