The Staffing Committee of Waltham Forest Council was scheduled to convene on Thursday, 16 April 2026, with the primary item on the agenda being the appointment of a new Chief Officer. The meeting's proceedings were detailed in a public reports pack, which outlined the candidates to be considered for the role of Corporate Director of Highways and Parking.

Chief Officer Appointment: Corporate Director - Highways

The main focus of the meeting was the consideration of candidates for the significant role of Corporate Director of Highways and Parking. The report pack indicated that the Staffing Committee was recommended to interview and decide on an appointment for this position. This recruitment is a response to the ongoing costs associated with interim cover and the need for stable management and strategic leadership within the Highways and Parking services. The post is already budgeted for within the council's establishment.

The role of the Corporate Director of Highways and Parking involves providing strong leadership and vision for the development of the Council's Highways and Parking Services. This includes ensuring strategic policy direction, operational management, and financial control. A key aspect of the role is to ensure customer-centred service delivery and to advise the Strategic Leadership Team, Chief Executive, and Cabinet. The role also requires contributing to the corporate management and strategic direction of the Council.

The responsibilities outlined for the Corporate Director include directing and controlling the service to ensure efficient and effective delivery within allocated budgets, developing and implementing service strategies, policies, targets, and objectives aligned with the Council's overall corporate strategy. They are also expected to manage stakeholder relationships, including with Council Members, other service areas, customers, the public, and the media, and to develop opportunities for partnership working.

The role carries significant financial responsibility, with the budget for the service estimated at £56 million, and income projected at £70 million. The capital budget is £41 million. The Corporate Director would have direct line management of four heads of service, leading to over 90 indirect reports. The required knowledge, skills, and experience include significant senior strategic management experience, proven ability to manage diverse activities, accountability for substantial budgets, and experience in stakeholder engagement within a political environment. The role also requires excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to process large amounts of information and make sound decisions.

The report pack noted that the appointment process is in accordance with the Council's Recruitment & Selection Policy and Procedure and that appointments to chief officer posts are made on merit, as per the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) Regulations 2001 and s.7 of the Local Government Act 1989. While the public could access most of the report, Appendices 2 and 3 were exempt from public disclosure in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, as they contained information relating to individuals that would not be in the public interest to disclose.