The Staffing Committee of Waltham Forest Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 28 April 2026. The primary item on the agenda was the appointment of a new Chief Officer, specifically the Strategic Director of Resources. The meeting was scheduled to take place in the Marigold room at Waltham Forest Town Hall.

Chief Officer Appointment: Strategic Director of Resources

The main item scheduled for discussion was the appointment of a Strategic Director of Resources. This role is a key position within the council's Senior Leadership Team, responsible for providing strategic financial guidance and ensuring the delivery of the council's vision and values. The postholder is also designated as the council's statutory Chief Finance Officer, with responsibilities for financial management, governance, and stewardship, including for the London Borough of Waltham Forest's Local Government Pension Fund.

The report pack indicated that the committee was to interview candidates for this position. The role profile, included as Appendix 1 of the report pack, outlines the extensive responsibilities of the Strategic Director of Resources. These include developing and implementing financial strategies and policies in compliance with legislation such as Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972¹. The role also involves leading on the development of a customer-focused approach, managing significant financial budgets totalling over £1 billion council-wide, and overseeing a department with a revenue budget of £7.6 million and approximately 350 full-time equivalent staff. The post holder is expected to have an impressive track record of developing services and translating local, regional and national requirements into practical outcomes and to be able to think strategically and apply analytical reasoning to complex problems. ²

The report recommended that the Staffing Committee interview and decide on an appointment for the post of Strategic Director of Resources. It was noted that two candidates were included in the report pack, with the final shortlist subject to further officer interviews and stakeholder panels. The report also stated that the appointment process is in accordance with the council's Recruitment & Selection Policy and Procedure and that financial provision for the post already exists within the council's budget. The meeting was scheduled to consider candidates based on merit, as required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) Regulations 2001.