The Appointments Sub Committee met to interview candidates for the role of Strategic Director, Change and Improvement. As the substantive business on the agenda was exempt/confidential, the usual arrangements for public attendance did not apply. The Committee also planned to confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

Strategic Director, Change and Improvement

The main item on the agenda was to interview candidates for the post of Strategic Director, Change and Improvement. The report pack included a shortlist report prepared by Penna, the recruitment consultants.

The report stated that recruiting for this post permanently was a requirement of the Ministerial Directions¹. The role is described as:

a unique and critical role driving delivery against the requirements in the Ministerial Directions and continuing to develop an effective corporate engine to support wider change and improvement work.

The responsibilities of the role include leading the improvement agenda for the council, providing strategic leadership to drive corporate strategy and change, implementing a new model at the corporate centre, and ensuring the council’s values and community outcomes are at the heart of proposals and solutions for improvement.

The job description also states that the post holder will be expected to have:

in depth understanding of government expectations around local government improvement and a successful track record in response to a government support package or intervention.

The Appointments Sub-Committee was scheduled to assess each candidate in accordance with the council’s policies and practices, and determine which, if any, candidate should be offered the post. The Executive² would then be given 48 hours to comment on the proposed appointment, and the Sub-Committee may be required to meet again to consider any negative feedback before an appointment is made.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The Committee was recommended to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the consideration of the remaining business. This was because the agenda items contained information defined as Exempt in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972³.

Other Business

The agenda also included:

• Declarations of interest from members, including those restricting members from voting under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992⁴.
• Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 April 2025.
• Confirmation of the exempt minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 April 2025.