Purpose

The role of Director of Public Health has been
covered by an internal interim (acting up) arrangement since 1st
March 2023.

Since 1st March 2023 the permanent post has been advertised
numerous times without success. There is a known national shortage
of experienced candidates for the role of Director of Public Health
and data provided by the Faculty of Public Health confirms this
with an average of 1.6 applications per advertisement.

The Faculty of Public Health and Regional Director of Public
Health, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State (NHS England)
confirmed that the current interim is unable to continue in post
for much longer as this was a temporary arrangement. The current
interim has also expressed a desire to end the acting up
arrangement asap.

There were no internal resources suitable to act up in the role and
an external search was conducted.

A statutory AAC interview panel was convened that included the Head
of the Paid Service, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for
Adult Social Care.

Following a successful interview the AAC Panel agreed to appoint a
new Interim Director of Public Health to commence in post on 1st
July 2025 for a period of 12 Months (.6 FTE). The current interim
will continue to provide cover up to 30 June 2025.

The Council will plan a new campaign to appoint a permanent
Director of Public Health after 9 months after the postholder has
commenced the role.

Content

That following a successful interview (AAC
Panel) for the Interim Director of Public Health, Frances Howie is
appointed on a 12-month fixed term contract commencing on 1 July
2025 (.6 FTE).