The Employment and Appointments Committee convened to appoint a Director of Education and Achievement, recommend two candidates as Independent Persons for Standards to the council, and delegate authority to the Chair to recommend candidates for Co-Opted Members of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Appointment of Director of Education and Achievement

The committee was asked to appoint a candidate to the post of Director of Education and Achievement, note the advertised salary for the post, agree the final salary at which the successful candidate should be offered the post, and note that any offer of employment would be subject to the completion of the Executive Notification Procedure.

The advertised salary range for the post was Grade CO2 £116,721 - £131,742, and the final salary will be agreed by the committee.

The report stated that the appointment of a senior officer to the post would support the delivery of the council’s missions and objectives, and that as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the postholder would have a key role in supporting, enabling and monitoring the delivery of the Islington Together 2030 Plan.

Appointment of Independent Persons for Standards and Co-Opted Members of the Audit and Risk Committee

The committee was asked to recommend to the council the appointment of two candidates as Independent Persons for Standards, for a four-year term or until vacancies arise, and to delegate authority to the Chair to recommend to the council the appointment of candidates as Co-Opted Members of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Local authorities are required to appoint at least one Independent Person for Standards¹. This is a statutory role under the Localism Act 2011² to advise the council on matters relating to the Member Code of Conduct. This includes reviewing complaints made against members, and deciding if members have, or may have, breached the Code of Conduct, and if those complaints should be investigated.

Nine applications were received for the Independent Persons for Standards roles. Interviews were carried out on 3 April 2025 by Councillor Janet Burgess MBE, Carers Champion, the Chair of the Standards Committee, the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, and Councillor Diarmaid Ward, Executive Member for Finance & Performance, with support from the Monitoring Officer and the Acting Corporate Director of Resources. Following interviews, the panel recommended that two candidates be appointed to the roles, and it was recommended that the Committee refer the appointments to the Council for consideration. The appointment will be subject to references.

The council’s constitution provides that the Audit and Risk Committee will be comprised of five councillors and two independent co-opted members. The committee is a key component of Islington Council’s corporate governance. It provides an independent and high-level focus on the audit, assurance and reporting arrangements that underpin good governance and financial standards. Twelve applications were received for the roles of Co-Opted Members of the Audit and Risk Committee. Interviews are being scheduled for late April 2025, and it is recommended that the Committee delegate authority to the Chair to recommend successful candidates to the Council, for the appointments to be agreed at the Annual Council meeting on 15 May 2025. The appointment will be subject to references.

The report stated that ensuring the council has a strong ethics and governance framework will assist the council in delivering all priorities under the Islington Together 2030 plan.

Independent Persons for Standards are entitled to an allowance of £1,025 per annum. Co-opted members of the Audit and Risk Committee will receive £139.77 per meeting. This figure is subject to any inflationary increases awarded under the annual Local Government Pay Settlement. These costs are included within existing budgets and there is no additional budget pressure associated with the appointments.