Our Cooperative Executive has set out the next steps in the independent Inquiry in to the management of Sheffield's street trees dispute.
Sheffield Street Trees Inquiry: Advert for Independent Chair goes live
Today marks a major step forward for the Sheffield Street Trees Inquiry as Sheffield City Council begins the search for an Independent Chair to lead the investigation.
Adverts for the role have been placed both locally and nationally to attract an independent and impartial candidate who brings strong leadership and drive to carry out this important work.
The recruitment process is designed to identify an external, independent person who is unconnected to the issue and will include an opportunity for key stakeholders to meet short-listed candidates.
The Council aims to complete recruitment to the role by early in January 2022.
Once appointed, the Independent Chair will work with the external legal advisors and all stakeholders, including the Council, to develop the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry. The Chair will then set the final Terms of Reference.
From this point on Sheffield City Council will leave the Chair to conduct the investigation, providing support and evidence to the Inquiry as requested by the Chair. The Co-operative Executive will receive, publish, and respond to the Inquiry’s final report and recommendations.
Cllr Julie Grocutt, Deputy Leader for Sheffield City Council, said: “I’m delighted that we’re progressing with the Independent Inquiry; starting the recruitment process for the Independent Chair is a big step. It’s really important that people can see we are working openly on this and are committed to appointing a suitable, independent person to achieve the most meaningful outcome, for us as a council, but also for our residents.”
Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, Cllr Douglas Johnson, added: “It’s really important that this Inquiry helps Sheffield get to a shared understanding of what happened and why, and helps us all to move forward together. Getting the most capable person to Chair and develop the Terms of Reference for this Independent Inquiry is essential to its success, so I’m really pleased that the net is being cast far and wide in order to attract the best person for the task.”
For more information, please visit the Sheffield City Council website.
People who are interested in the role can find out more or ask for an application pack by emailing streettreesinquiry@sheffield.gov.uk, with the closing date for applications being 4pm on Friday 10th December 2021.
The Council have also today launched a webpage for the Independent Inquiry, through which all future updates will be shared.
