The Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee of Newham Council met on Friday 27 March 2026 to consider the appointment of a new Director of Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement. The meeting's agenda focused on the interview process for this key role, with the sub-committee scheduled to recommend a successful applicant for further consultation with Cabinet members.

Appointment of Director of Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the appointment of a Director of Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement. The sub-committee was tasked with interviewing candidates for this position, with the intention of recommending a preferred applicant. This recommendation would then be subject to consultation with Cabinet members.

The recruitment process for this role began with an advertisement placed on 22 January 2026. A total of forty applications were received, with six candidates initially longlisted. These longlisted candidates underwent further assessment between 2nd and 3rd March 2026, involving technical interviews and assessments. Subsequently, four candidates proceeded to a selection assessment centre held between 4th and 17th March 2026. This assessment process included technical interviews, one-to-one interviews with the Corporate Director of Environment and Sustainable Transport, and panels involving stakeholders and young people. The stakeholder panel comprised representatives from the Metropolitan Police, Our Watch , and various council departments including Environment and Sustainable Transport, Housing and Inclusive Economy, and Children and Young People.

Details of the candidates participating in the selection assessment centre, along with their supporting documentation, were contained within exempt enclosures of the report, designated as Appendix A. The report outlined that the recommendation of the sub-committee would be subject to a two-working-day consultation period with all Cabinet members, during which they could raise any objections based on material fact.

The appointment process is governed by the Officer Employment Procedure Rules in Part 4.8 of the Council's Constitution, and all appointments must adhere to general employment legislation and the Council's recruitment policy. The position of Director of Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement is a budgeted post, with salary costs falling within the range set out in the Council's Pay Policy for 2026/2027.

The sub-committee members were Councillor Amar Virdee (Chair), Councillor John Morris, Councillor Sarah Jane Ruiz, and Councillor Sabia Kamali. Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE was listed as a substitute member. Officers in attendance included Rebecca Johnson, Corporate Director of Environment & Sustainable Transport; Gordon McFarlane, Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development; and Paulette Lindsay-Greenidge, Strategic HR Business Partner.