The Chief Officers' Employment Panel of Harrow Council was scheduled to discuss the appointment of an interim Divisional Director of Children and Families, the future direction of the Public Health service, and severance payments exceeding £100,000. The panel was also set to consider the endorsement of the Director of Public Health.

Appointment of Interim Divisional Director of Children and Families

The panel was scheduled to consider the appointment of an interim Divisional Director of Children and Young People Service. This role became vacant following the departure of Chris Spencer, the former Corporate Director of People and statutory Director of Children's Services, on 4 March 2018. Paul Hewitt, who had previously been the Divisional Director of Children and Young People Service, was appointed to the interim post of Corporate Director of People and Director of Children's Services from 12 March 2018.

The report indicated that the Council's employment policies allow for temporary acting up arrangements. The proposed plan was for the Corporate Director People (Interim) to invite expressions of interest from the People Directorate management team for the acting up role. An appointment was to be made until 30 June 2018, following an interview process involving a panel of three officers, advised by the portfolio holder and shadow portfolio holder for Children.

The report highlighted that permanent recruitment to the post was not feasible as it was only vacant on an interim basis. Not filling the post was not recommended due to the ongoing evolution of the People Directorate and the need to continue work to realise its full benefits. The report also noted significant regulatory inspection risks within the Children and Young People Service, including potential inspections by the Youth Justice Board, a Joint Targeted Area Inspection focused on Domestic Abuse or Child Sexual Exploitation, or a Focussed Visit by OFSTED. Bringing in an external interim was not recommended due to cost savings and the desire to provide opportunities internally as an investment in existing talent.

The post is graded at D2, with a salary band of £102,693 to £115,605, which falls within the criteria for this panel to approve remuneration packages of £100,000 or over. The salary for this post is already accounted for in the Children's Services Staffing Budget, and savings were anticipated from filling the post internally on an interim basis.

Future Direction of the Public Health Service

A presentation was scheduled to cover the future direction of the Public Health service.

Severance Payments of £100,000 or Greater

The panel was scheduled to consider severance payments of £100,000 or greater. This item was listed as confidential, with the description of exempt information being Information under paragraph 1 (contains information relating to any individuals) .

Endorsement of the Director of Public Health

The panel was also scheduled to consider the endorsement of the Director of Public Health. This item was also listed as confidential, with the description of exempt information being Information under paragraph 1 (contains information relating to any individuals) .

The meeting was scheduled to take place at Harrow Civic Centre¹.