The Chief Officer Appointment Committee of Newham Council met on Thursday 05 October 2023 to establish sub-committees for the appointment of several key senior roles within the council. Decisions were made to form these sub-committees, with members appointed to oversee the recruitment processes for the Director of Community Safety, Corporate Director Children and Young People Services, Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy, and Director of Public Realm.

Establishment of Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committees

The committee resolved to establish four separate sub-committees to oversee the appointment of senior officers. These sub-committees were formed in accordance with the council's constitution to ensure a structured and thorough recruitment process for critical leadership positions. The press and public were excluded from these discussions to allow for private deliberation on the appointment of sub-committee members.

Director of Community Safety

A sub-committee was established to appoint a Director of Community Safety. The following members were appointed: Councillor Amar Virdee (Chair), Councillor James Asser, Councillor Shaban Mohammed, Councillor Rita Chadha, and Councillor Lakmini Shah. Councillor Sabia Kamali was appointed as a substitute member.

Corporate Director Children and Young People Services

A sub-committee was formed to appoint a Corporate Director for Children and Young People Services. The appointed members are Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE (Chair), Councillor Sarah Ruiz, Councillor Joshua Garfield, Councillor Madeleine Sarley Pontin, Councillor Elizabeth Booker, and Councillor Larisa Zilickaja. Mariam Dawood was appointed as a substitute member.

Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy

The committee agreed to establish a sub-committee for the appointment of a Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy. The members appointed to this sub-committee are Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE (Chair), Councillor John Whitworth, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, Councillor Rohit Dasgupta, Councillor Shaban Mohammed, and Councillor Caroline Adaja. Councillor Anthony McAlmont and Councillor Lewis Godfrey were appointed as substitute members.

Director of Public Realm

A sub-committee was also established to appoint a Director of Public Realm. The members appointed to this role are Councillor James Asser (Chair), Councillor Miraj Patel, Councillor Rachel Tripp, Councillor Tonii Wilson, and Councillor Sabia Kamali. Councillor Harvinder Virdee and Councillor John Morris were appointed as substitute members.

Exclusion of Press and Public

Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the committee resolved to exclude the press and public from parts of the meeting. This decision was made because the discussions involved information that fell under specific paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Act, and it was deemed that the public interest test was not met for these particular items. This allowed for confidential deliberations on sensitive matters related to the appointment of chief officers.