Agenda item

This report sets out the rationale and process for the appointment of Nick Johnson as Chief Executive of H&F Homes.

Geoff Alltimes, Chief Executive, introduced the report, which set out the rationale and process for the recruitment and employment of Nick Johnson as Chief Executive of H & F Homes.

Councillor Murphy asked which officer had prepared the report. Geoff Alltimes said that it contained work from a number of officers, including the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services, but that he took responsibility for its contents.

Councillor Cartwright said that, while he had not been personally involved in the matter, he had seen the correspondence between officers and other members, and the press coverage of the matter. He expressed concern that the Council had employed an individual with a local government pension, in such a way as to circumvent the rules against doing so.

Jane West, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, clarified that it had been H & F Homes acting as employer, and that the rules of the LGPS at the time of Nick Johnson’s retirement did not prevent him working for another local authority as a consultant whilst continuing to receive his pension.

As discussion of the process of Nick Johnson’s appointment contained information relating to other individuals, the Committee moved to close the meeting to the public. The Committee’s subsequent discussion is outlined in 72. ALMO Chief Executive and Senior Housing Management- Exempt Aspects.

At the conclusion of the exempt elements of that discussion, Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor Cartwright, moved that the Committee agree to refer the matter to the District Auditor, asking him to investigate, and called for a recorded vote.. The outcome of a vote on the resolution was as follows

For: 2

Against: 3

Those in favour: Councillors Murphy and Cartwright

Those against: Councillors Adam, Ginn and Iggulden

Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor Cartwright, then moved that the Committee write to the London Borough of Bexley, advising them of the position of Nick Johnson, as a pensioner of that borough, as Chief Executive of H & F Homes, calling for a recorded vote. The outcome of a vote on the resolution was as follows

For: 2

Against: 3

Those in favour: Councillors Murphy and Cartwright

Those against: Councillors Adam, Ginn and Iggulden

The Committee agreed that officers should be requested to examine the contract held with Johnson Davies Ltd and any similar contracts with service companies or agencies held by the Council or by H & F Homes, currently or in the recent past, to ensure that there was no potential National Insurance liability to the Council or H & F Homes, with appropriate indemnity arrangements.

RESOLVED THAT

(i)                 The report be noted, and

(ii)               That officers should be requested to examine the contract held with Johnson Davies Ltd and any similar contracts with service companies or agencies held by the Council or by H & F Homes, currently or in the recent past, to ensure that there was no potential National Insurance liability to the Council or H & F Homes, with appropriate indemnity arrangements