The Staff and Appointments Committee of Northumberland Council met on Tuesday 29 September 2026 to discuss the appointment process for a new Director of Law and Corporate Governance, review senior manager incremental progression, and consider a proposed change to a directorate name. The committee approved the proposed appointment process for the Director of Law and Corporate Governance and noted the report on senior manager incremental progression. However, a decision on the proposed change of directorate name was deferred for further discussion.

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

The committee discussed the proposed appointment process for a permanent Director of Law and Corporate Governance, who also serves as the Monitoring Officer. This role is statutory and crucial for ensuring the lawful delivery of the Council's corporate plan. Mr Stephen Gerrard has been fulfilling these duties since June 2023 and is set to retire in summer 2027, necessitating a permanent appointment. The proposed process includes using an external recruitment partner, Penna, for national advertising, with internal leadership for the assessment stages. The estimated cost for Penna's services is around £12,000. Councillor Dunn sought assurance that the appointment would be reported to Full Council, which was confirmed, and also inquired about contingency plans in case of a failure to appoint, with the Chief Executive stating that the council would review the reasons and adapt its approach. The salary for the role was also discussed, with the Leader referencing comparable data in the report to justify the proposed range. The committee resolved to note the report and approve the proposed appointment process.

Senior Manager Incremental Progression and Appraisal

The committee received an annual report on senior manager incremental awards and appraisal rates for those in Bands 14+. The Chief Executive explained that incremental progression is not automatic and is based on line manager assessments and successful appraisals over two consecutive years. The Leader sought clarification on the uniformity of the process and who decides on increments, with assurances from the Chief Executive and Sarah Farrell, Director of People and Culture, that continuity across services is maintained and managers adhere to the same standards. Councillor Hunter enquired about the existence of a paper trail for appraisals to ensure individual objectives are clear and learning can occur, which was confirmed. The committee noted the report.

Change of Directorate Name and Associated Executive Director Job Title

The committee considered a proposal to change the directorate name from Public Health, Inequalities and Stronger Communities to Communities and Public Health. The rationale behind this change is to better reflect the directorate's shared identity and the collective nature of tackling inequalities as a corporate priority, rather than solely the responsibility of one directorate. However, Councillor Dunn and Councillor Hunter expressed concern that removing Inequalities from the title might signal a reduced focus on this critical area. The Chief Executive assured the committee that inequalities would remain a focus and are the responsibility of the entire council. Due to a lack of confidence from some members regarding the proposed change, the committee recommended that the report be brought back for further discussion.

The next meeting of the Staff and Appointments Committee was scheduled for Wednesday, 18 November 2026.