Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 25, 2026

Purpose:

Content: Decision   RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed the recruitment of a Corporate Policy Officer on a 2 year fixed term contract with the funding for the post @ circa £52,620 to be allocated from the contingency budget within the 2026/27 Revenue Budget.   Reasons for decision   There was a need to provide additional capacity at the corporate centre to provide policy support and the other Policy Officer roles within the Policy and Partnerships Department are service specific and there was no capacity to support this additional requirement.   Following the internal promotion of Policy Manager (Performance) to head the new project management (GRIP) unit, the performance element of that role will be incorporated into the new unit. However, the core policy element of that role would not be covered by any existing resource. This meant key policy campaigns including VAWG, Crossbow Crime etc adopted in motions and agreed at council would not have officer support.   As distinct from operational issue around Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and devolution, the council required capacity to address emerging policy considerations.   Alternative Options Considered   Cabinet could have chosen not to agree to support this role however this would have meant that the Corporate Centre would not have the additional support as set out in the report.