Report of the Director of HROD and Transformation and the City Solicitor attached

The Council considered a report of the Director of HROD & Transformation and the City Solicitor, which sought approval of the Council for the appointment of Eamonn Boylan as interim Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service, with effect from 9 September 2024. It also requested that Eamonn Boylan was appointed as Manchester’s Electoral Registration Officer, Returning Officer for the elections of Councillors, and Returning Officer for the election of a GMCA Mayor, on an interim basis, with effect from 9 September 2024.

The last day in post of the current Chief Executive was 8 September 2024. It was not anticipated that a new permanent Chief Executive would be in post until approximately January 2025. This would necessitate the appointment of an interim Chief Executive during the intervening period.  Ordinarily, approval of the appointment of a Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service would be made by the Council following the recommendation of a candidate by a sub-committee of Personnel Committee acting as an appointment panel. On this occasion, given the need to ensure that this key statutory officer post was not allowed to become vacant, the decision on the appointment of an interim Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service had come directly to the Council for consideration.

Decisions

The Council:-

(1)      Approve the appointment of Eamonn Boylan to the position of Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, on an interim basis, with effect from 9 September 2024.

(2)      Approve the designation of Eamonn Boylan as Head of Paid Service of Manchester City Council under Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, on an interim basis, with effect from 9 September 2024.

(3)      Appoint Eamonn Boylan as the Electoral Registration Officer for Manchester, on an interim basis, with effect from 9 September 2024.

(4)      Appoint Eamonn Boylan as the Returning Officer for the elections of councillors of the district of Manchester and for elections of councillors of parishes within the district, on an interim basis, with effect from 9 September 2024.

(5)      Appoint Eamonn Boylan as the Returning Officer for the district of Manchester for the election of a Greater Manchester Combined Authority mayor, on an interim basis, with effect from 9 September 2024.

(6)      Agree that the above interim appointments shall terminate immediately upon a permanent Chief Executive / Head of Paid Service taking up their position with the Council.