Tim Hallam left the Council Chamber at 7.25pm.

Councillor Gledhill presented the report to seek the agreement of Council to appoint Tim Hallam as the Interim Monitoring Officer whilst an external recruitment process for a permanent Monitoring Officer was undertaken following the departure of David Lawson next Friday. Councillor Gledhill thanked David Lawson for all his hard work and stated all three group leaders had agreed to appoint the candidate following a Governance Group meeting.

Councillor Pothecary stated that the timings on the process to recruit senior officer process had again not been quite there but asked commitment from the Leader that further recruitment of senior officers would go through the General Services Committee process.

Councillor Spillman stated that it had been a pleasure to work with David Lawson who would be greatly missed and would support the recommendation.

Councillor Gerrish thanked David Lawson for his help and guidance over the years and wished him well but stated that it was important that the recruitment process be looked into to ensure that proper consultation was available to all Members.

Councillor Halden arrived into the Council Chamber at 7.29pm.

Councillor Gledhill stated that David Lawson would be solely missed but supported the recommendation that Tim Hallam be appointed the Interim Monitoring Officer and gave his commitment to both Councillor Pothecary and Councillor Gerrish that the recruitment of senior officers would go through the General Services Committee process.

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation, whereupon the Mayor declared this to be carried.

RESOLVED

That Tim Hallam be appointed the Interim Monitoring Officer of Thurrock Council.

Tim Hallam returned to the Council Chamber at 7.31pm.