The Staffing Committee of Waltham Forest Council was scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 15 April 2026. The primary item on the agenda was the appointment of a Chief Officer, specifically the Strategic Director for Strategy, Change and Communities. The meeting was to consider candidates for this significant role, which is central to the council's transformation programme and financial sustainability efforts.

Chief Officer Appointment - Strategic Director - Strategy, Change and Communities

The main focus of the meeting was the consideration of candidates for the position of Strategic Director of Strategy, Change and Communities. This role, approved by Cabinet on 17 March 2026, is intended to lead the Mission Waltham Forest Transformation Programme, deliver approximately £40 million in savings, and oversee the organisation-wide Prevention Operating Model. The Strategic Director is expected to unite prevention, community-facing services, strategy, insight, and transformation into a single structure aimed at reducing demand and improving outcomes.

The report pack indicated that the Staffing Committee was recommended to interview and decide on an appointment for this post. It was noted that one application had been received and recommended by the Chief Executive and the Corporate Director of Culture and Workforce Development for the committee's consideration. The role profile details the extensive responsibilities, including providing corporate leadership, driving organisational improvement, and ensuring financial sustainability through new operating models and demand management, particularly in children's and adult social care, and housing. The post-holder would also be responsible for leading the cultural shift required for prevention and transformation, and for developing and embedding the Prevention Operating Model across all council services.

The report also outlined the generic accountabilities of a Strategic Director, which include supporting and deputising for the Chief Executive, advising Management Board and Members, developing stakeholder relationships, and leading partnership working. Specific to this role, the Strategic Director would provide strategic leadership for the council's overall strategy and transformation portfolio, acting as the lead officer for the Prevention Operating Model. They would also be responsible for demand management across key service areas and for providing professional advice to elected members and senior officers. The role involves managing a significant budget of approximately £50 million and directly managing senior staff, including Corporate Directors and Assistant Directors. The required knowledge, skills, and experience include proven ability to deliver at a senior management level, lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage significant financial savings, and work effectively within a political environment.

The meeting was scheduled to take place in the Marigold Suite at Waltham Forest Town Hall. The agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and the potential exclusion of the press and public for discussions involving exempt information, as defined by the Local Government Act 1972.