The Appointments and Disciplinary Committee of Croydon Council met on Thursday, 21 November 2024, to discuss and approve the salary package for a new Director of Housing, New Build & Estate Regeneration. The committee also agreed to proceed with the selection and appointment process for this role.

Appointment of Director of Housing, New Build & Estate Regeneration

The committee discussed and approved the salary package for the newly created post of Director of Housing, New Build & Estate Regeneration. This role is considered crucial for developing new housing supply in Croydon, with a focus on affordable housing and regeneration projects. The proposed salary package includes a base salary of £115,000-£119,564, with the addition of a special occupational scarcity allowance of up to £5,436 per year, bringing the total annual remuneration to a maximum of £125,000.

Dean Shoesmith, Chief People Officer, and Susmita Sen, Corporate Director of Housing, presented the report. They explained that benchmarking against similar roles in London councils indicated a need for a special occupational scarcity allowance to attract suitable candidates in a competitive market. Susmita Sen highlighted the strategic importance of the role in delivering the borough's housing targets, working with partners such as the Greater London Authority (GLA), developer partners, housing associations, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Councillor Stuart King raised a point of clarification regarding the approval process, noting a distinction between Full Council noting variations and providing final approval. Dean Shoesmith clarified that while Full Council approves the Pay Policy Statement, the decision to provide a special occupational scarcity allowance had been delegated to the Chief Executive, who had approved the amendment to the Market Supplement Policy. This amendment would be reflected in an updated Pay Policy Statement for Full Council's consideration.

The committee resolved to:

• Note that the Chief Executive, under delegated decision-making powers, had amended the Market Supplement Policy to include provision for a special occupational scarcity allowance.
• Note that Full Council would be informed of the variation and updating of the Pay Policy Statement 2024/25, which includes provision for an occupational skills scarcity payment.
• Agree the salary package for the Director of Housing, New Build & Estate Regeneration, with a maximum total annual remuneration of £125,000.
• Undertake the selection and agree an appointment to the post from the candidates detailed in the Exempt/Part B Appendix.
• Note that any appointment would be subject to the council's Staff Employment Procedure Rules.

Following this discussion, the committee agreed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting to discuss the shortlisting and selection of candidates for the Director of Housing, New Build & Estate Regeneration role in Part B of the meeting.