Scrutiny brings clarity on Mayoral Combined Authority recruitment

Cllr Denis Healy, member of the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Scrutiny Committee and Leader of the Opposition on East Riding of Yorkshire Council, has welcomed the publication of detailed information on recruitment and staffing at the Combined Authority.
The issue was first raised by Cllr Healy at a meeting of the Combined Authority Board, following questions from local residents seeking reassurance on value for money, governance and the rapid establishment of the organisation.

At the time, the question prompted a robust exchange. However, the Combined Authority has now provided a comprehensive written response setting out its recruitment processes, senior management structure and associated costs.

“My role on the Scrutiny Committee is to ask questions on behalf of residents and ensure openness, transparency and value for money in how public funds are used.
The Combined Authority is a new organisation, and it is entirely reasonable that people want to understand how senior roles are being filled and what this is costing.
I welcome the fact that a detailed response has now been provided. This is exactly the kind of openness and accountability that scrutiny is there to achieve.” Cllr Healy 

The published briefing confirms that the senior management structure and recruitment processes have been formally approved, with appointments made through the Combined Authority’s Employment Panel and Executive Board arrangements. 

It also sets out the use of recruitment agencies during the Authority’s set‑up phase, with total agency staffing costs of £1.918 million between February 2025 and March 2026, within overall staffing costs of £2.203 million. 

“I have had a constructive discussion with the Mayor, and I welcome his recognition that the initial response to my question could have been better handled.
We are all working towards the same goal — delivering the best outcomes for the Hull and East Yorkshire economy and that requires transparency as well as strong leadership.
Scrutiny plays an essential role in helping to build public confidence, and I will continue to raise issues where residents are seeking answers.” Cllr Healy 

Cllr Healy is now publishing the full briefing in the interests of transparency and to ensure residents have access to the detailed information provided.

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