The Northumberland County Council Staff and Appointments Committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, 29 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the appointment process for a key legal and governance role, an update on senior manager progression, and a proposed change to a directorate's name.

Proposed Appointment Process for Director of Law and Corporate Governance (Monitoring Officer)

A significant item on the agenda is the proposed appointment process for a permanent Director of Law and Corporate Governance, who also serves as the Monitoring Officer. This role is a statutory requirement under Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, ensuring the council operates lawfully and with good governance. Mr Stephen Gerrard has been fulfilling the duties of Monitoring Officer since June 2023. The report outlines the structure of the permanent appointment process, including the proposed job description, the use of an external recruitment partner, and an internally led assessment. The recommended salary range for this position is £143,779 - £158,197. The report also details a proposed timetable for the recruitment campaign, which is scheduled to launch on 12 October and aims for committee approval of the appointment by February 2027.

Senior Manager Incremental Progression and Appraisal

The committee is to receive an annual report on senior manager incremental awards and appraisal rates for those in Bands 14 and above. This report aligns with the requirements of the Pay Policy Statement 2026/27. The process allows for incremental progression for senior managers who have met their appraisal objectives for two consecutive years. Applications are assessed by line managers with support from the People and Culture department. Increments awarded are backdated to 1 April of the application year. The report indicates that appraisal completion rates for senior managers exceeded the target of 85% in 2025/26. A list of senior managers who were awarded an increment for April 2026 is to be presented.

Change of Directorate Name and Associated Executive Director Job Title

The committee will be informed of a proposed change to the name of the Directorate of Public Health, Inequalities and Stronger Communities. The suggested new name is Communities and Public Health. This change is intended to better reflect the directorate's shared identity and the collective work undertaken within it. The revised title aims to align with the Council's Corporate Plan, which designates tackling inequalities as a cross-cutting priority delivered across all services, rather than solely by one directorate. The proposal is to update the Executive Director's job title accordingly. There are no anticipated financial or significant HR implications arising from this change.