Agenda item

A report is attached with the Agenda

4.1 Andy Thomas announced that there had been 36 applications for the recruitment of co-opted members. It would be beneficial to the Forum’s work to progress the recruitment process as quickly as possible.

4.2 Cllr Lisa Brett explained that she had concerns about the criteria used and the person specification being too ‘city centric’. A wider spread to reflect diversity was required. Cllr June Player agreed with this. Cllr Bob Goodman agreed that balance was required across the membership of the Forum

4.3 Cllr Joe Rayment suggested that a shortlist of approximately twenty should be prepared.

4.4 Cllr Paul Crossley suggested that all elected members of the Forum should see and comment on all thirty-six applications.

4.5 Cllr Bob Goodman agreed that a Panel should be established to consider the co-opted members and the all thirty-six applicants details should be made available. It was suggested that the timings and details of how the applicants were chosen should be transparent.

4.6 Cllr Rob Appleyard agreed and asked when we would expect to announce the successful applicants.

4.7 Jo Farrar agreed to lead a Selection Panel and asked for five nominees for the panel, one from each political group. This was agreed by the Panel.

4.8 Andy Thomas confirmed that the applications would be assessed using the criteria set out.

4.9 Cllr Joe Rayment suggested that the Person Specification used might ‘skew’ the profile of applicants.

4.10 Cllr Shaun McGall also queried the process for establishing the criteria.

4.11 Cllr June Player suggested that people may have been dissuaded from applying due to the criteria being too onerous; she said that she had been approached by constituents who would have applied if this had not been the case. The person felt that the expected calibre was too high and that ordinary people should have a voice for Bath. Cllr Joe Rayment agreed.

4.12 Cllr Patrick Anketell-Jones suggested that, in addition to the co-optees, any residents could come and make a presentation to the Forum Membership of the Forum was not necessary to be heard.

4.13 Cllr Lisa Brett identified that the inclusion of leadership into the criteria presented a challenge. Cllr Joe Rayment agreed and this was echoed from the floor.

4.14 Cllr Rob Appleyard asked whether the specification should be redrafted and the recruitment reopened.

4.15 Jo Farrar explained that the criteria had been based on a process that had been used to recruit similar roles. Leadership experience had been listed as a desirable skill rather than essential in the criteria. Jo explained that it would be possible to invite further applicants if this phase of the process did not lead to all 13 co-optee roles being filled.

4.16 Cllr Joe Rayment suggested that the process be reopened and the person specification changed, and this was supported by Cllr June Player.

4.17 Cllr Paul Crossley proposed that the applications received should be assessed and that a review take place in a year.

4.18 Cllr Bob Goodman agreed that the process could be reopened at a later date if required. He added that we do not have to select all thirteen co-optees if this first round of applications does not fit what the Forum requires.

4.19 Cllr Peter Turner felt that all Forum members will need to bring leadership, responsibility and integrity and when they bring views to the forum these will be listened to. 

4.20 The Forum agreed:

1. To establish a panel made up of a forum member from each political group and Jo Farrar as Forum Sponsor.
2. To circulate applications to all members of the forum.
3. That the panel make co-optee appointments to the Forum.