Agenda item

In accordance with Standing Order 29, Members are asked to note that the Mayor has called an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council in order to consider a report recommending (following a recruitment process undertaken by the Senior Staff Appointment Sub Committee) the appointment of the Chief Executive for The London Borough of Brent and to designate an Officer of the Council as the Council’s Head of Paid Service.

(Agenda republished on 19 January 2023 to include the report detailing the recommended appointment of Chief Executive, following completion of the recruitment process by the Senior Staff Appointments Sub Committee)

Council unanimously RESOLVED to approve the appointment of Kim Wright as Chief Executive of the London Borough of Brent and to designate her as the Head of Paid Service, with effect from 1^st May 2023.

The Mayor invited Councillor Muhammed Butt, as Leader of the Council, to introduce a report from the Corporate Director of Governance recommending the appointment of Chief Executive for the London Borough of Brent and their designation as the Council’s Head of Paid Service to take effect from 1^st May 2023, following completion of a recruitment process undertaken by the Senior Staff Appointment Sub Committee.

In introducing the report Councillor Muhammed Butt outlined the comprehensive nature of the recruitment process, with those officers involved thanked for their support, and highlighted the positive outcome in terms of the recommended appointment that had been unanimously approved for referral to Council by the Senior Staff Appointment Sub Committee.  Subject to formal approval of her appointment, the Leader welcomed Kim Wright to Brent in order to continue the work and significant achievements to date in serving the residents of the borough.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Muhammed Butt for his introduction and advised that following consultation with the three political groups leaders, he had agreed to allow, as further contributions, one representative from each of the Opposition Groups to also speak on the item at the meeting.

On this basis, the Mayor then invited Councillor Kansagra to speak on behalf of the Conservative Group, who endorsed the comments made by the Leader in terms of the thorough nature of the recruitment process.  In outlining his support for the recommended appointment, he also took the opportunity to highlight how his Group were looking forward to being able to work with the new Chief Executive, once in post.

As a final contribution, Councillor Georgiou was then invited to speak on behalf of the Liberal Democrats Group.  In supporting the sentiments already expressed he also took the opportunity to personally thank Carolyn Downs for her support as Chief Executive (in advance of more formal tributes being paid) and to advise how he was looking forward to working with the new Chief Executive, particularly in seeking to continue supporting the opposition and scrutiny as a means of holding the Executive to account and to ensure the best outcome for all residents in the borough.

The Mayor thanked both Opposition Group Leaders for their contributions and then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt to exercise his right of reply.  The Leader, in summing up, welcomed the comments made and took the opportunity to once again thank all those involved in the recruitment process for their support and participation.

With no further comments made, the Mayor put the recommendations in the report to the vote and they were unanimously declared CARRIED.

Council therefore RESOLVED to approve the appointment of Kim Wright as Chief Executive and designate her as the Head of Paid Service, with effect from 1^st May 2023.

As there was no further business to be considered the Mayor, prior to closing the meeting, also took the opportunity to formally welcome Kim Wright to Brent and reminded members that the next scheduled Council was due to take place on Thursday 23 February 2023 as the Budget & Council Tax setting meeting.