The Chief Officer Appointment Committee of Newham Council met on Tuesday 18 June 2024. The primary focus of the meeting was the establishment of a sub-committee to appoint a new Director of Public Realm.

Establishment of a Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee - Director of Public Realm

The committee was scheduled to discuss the establishment of a Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee, which would be responsible for making an appointment to the vacant post of Director of Public Realm. The report pack outlined the purpose of this role, which includes leading and managing a portfolio of activities such as street cleansing, refuse and recycling, waste collection, waste disposal, fleet management, vehicle workshops, parks and green spaces, the Newham Central Depot, and grounds and arboriculture maintenance. The Director of Public Realm is also tasked with developing and delivering policies that contribute to the council's strategies for tackling the climate and health emergencies and promoting community wealth building.

The report pack indicated that the post is politically restricted and requires expertise across the Public Realm, with strong skills in managing labour relations and diverse stakeholders. The role has been temporarily covered by an acting appointment since December 2023.

The committee was asked to agree the size and membership of the Appointment Sub-Committee. The report specified that the Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, would be a standing member, though she could nominate another member to chair the sub-committee. The quorum for the sub-committee was set at three members. The composition of the sub-committee was to be appropriate for the appointment, reflective of the council's guidance on diverse recruitment panels, and subject to rules on political proportionality. A substitute member was also to be provided for.

A proposed timetable for the recruitment process was included, with key dates such as the role going live on 31 May 2024, the application closing date on 30 June 2024, and interviews scheduled for July 2024. The report also noted that the recruitment would involve external consultants, Gatensby Sanderson, who have a track record in recruiting to specialist roles and sourcing diverse candidates.

The financial implications detailed in the report indicated that the recruitment fee for the external consultants would be £9,250, to be borne from Environment and Sustainable Transport management costs. The salary for the Director of Public Realm post would be within the range set out in the council's Pay Policy for 2024/25.

The report also highlighted legal, equalities, and other implications. The recommendations were stated to be in line with the Council's Constitution and Officer Employment Procedure Rules, requiring compliance with general employment legislation and the council's recruitment policy. The recruitment process was to ensure fairness and equity, complying with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, Recruitment and Selection policies, and the Equality Act 2010. The council's process for ensuring Diverse Recruitment Panels, as detailed in supplementary guidance, was also referenced.

The report pack also included guidance on Members' Declarations of Interest, outlining the requirements for declaring Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPIs) and Non-Disclosable Pecuniary or Non-Pecuniary Interests, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct and the Localism Act 2011. It also detailed general dispensations granted to all Members until the Annual Council meeting in 2026, which allow them to participate in discussions and vote on certain matters where their interest is common to the majority of inhabitants or so remote as not to prejudice their judgement.

The meeting was also scheduled to address the exclusion of the press and public under the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.