The JNC Appointments, Salaries and Structures Panel appointed a new Director of Financial Services and approved significant senior leadership changes. These changes include the redesignation of a strategic director role, the extension of a fixed-term contract, and the creation of two new director positions.

Appointment of Director of Financial Services

The Panel appointed Shabana Kauser as the new Director of Financial Services and Deputy S151 Officer. This appointment is subject to satisfactory references and employment checks. The salary for this position was set at £125,311, which falls within the approved discretionary range for the Senior Leadership pay scale. The Panel also agreed on interview questions and discussed the candidate's application, technical assessment, and psychometric test results. One candidate had withdrawn their application prior to the interview, leaving only one candidate to be considered.

Senior Leadership Changes

Several changes to senior leadership roles were approved by the Panel. The post of Strategic Director, My Place, has been redesignated as the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Communities, to better reflect the service's remit following a rebranding.

Additionally, the Panel approved the extension of Fiona Russell's fixed-term contract as Director of Care, Community and Health Integration for a further 12 months, until 10 November 2025. This extension will allow Ms. Russell to oversee the implementation of ongoing work. The potential redundancy cost liability associated with this extension will be met from the General Fund.

In response to unsuccessful recruitment campaigns for the Director of Homes and Assets post, the Panel agreed to delete this vacant position. Instead, two new JNC-level posts will be created: a Director of Housing and a Director of Property and Assets. This separation is intended to provide more robust oversight and strategic focus across these two service areas, in light of legislative and regulatory changes. The additional funding requirement of approximately £145,000 for these new roles will be split equally between the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account. Authority has been delegated to the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Communities, in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Director of Workforce Change, to finalise job descriptions, grades, and to engage executive search agents for recruitment to these new positions. Authority has also been delegated to the Strategic Director, Children and Adults, to finalise the revised job description for the Director of Care, Community and Health Integration post.