The Appointments Panel was scheduled to convene to discuss the recruitment of a Director of Place and Growth. The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, urgent business, and declarations of interest.

Director of Place and Growth

The primary focus of the meeting was scheduled to be the interview process for the position of Director of Place and Growth. This role is a Chief Officer Band A1 position, reporting directly to the Chief Executive, Debbie Warren. The job description outlines that the Director of Place and Growth will be responsible for developing and promoting the borough's Place vision and key enabling strategies, including the Local Plan, Inclusive Growth Plan, and the Economic Development Plan.

The role involves leading the physical, economic, and social regeneration of the borough by attracting investment, supporting businesses, and increasing employment opportunities for local residents, with a particular emphasis on reducing inequality and poverty. Key responsibilities include maximising land use, fostering a sustainable environment, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and overseeing associated social and transport infrastructure. The Director will also be responsible for the strategic management and development of the Council's land and property assets, including disposals and acquisitions, and will act as the corporate landlord. The Directorate encompasses Regeneration, Development Planning, Capital Projects & Property, and Economy & Skills.

The job purpose also details the expectation for the Director to develop and maintain a coherent strategy for the Directorate's delivery, performance management, and continuous improvement, working closely with elected Members to ensure the Council's aims and objectives are met. The role requires the individual to lead the Directorate's Senior Management Team, contribute to corporate leadership, and provide advice to Members, acknowledging policy and operational tensions. Developing and implementing strategic priorities and performance targets, fostering customer engagement, and collaborating with key stakeholders are also outlined as crucial outcomes. The Director is expected to act as an ambassador for the borough, promoting its image and forming strategic alliances. A significant aspect of the role involves leading on the use of geographic and spatial information to assess the borough's future needs.

The person specification for the Director of Place and Growth highlights the need for experience in creating a clear vision, inspiring staff, and showcasing the borough to attract investment. Successful experience in managing complex workloads, diverse services, and multi-disciplinary teams is required, along with the ability to change organisational culture and motivate staff. The candidate should demonstrate experience in identifying and maximising synergies between services, managing competing priorities, and working with diverse communities to promote equality and social inclusion. Political awareness and effective communication within a politically sensitive environment are also essential. The specification calls for a thorough understanding of the government's agenda for the managed services, its local impact, and experience in managing large, complex budgets.

The report pack also detailed the Council's Constitution and Code of Conduct, outlining the procedures for Members to declare personal and financial interests. This included definitions of personal and financial interests, and the actions Members must take when such interests arise, such as leaving the meeting if a financial interest is declared.

The meeting was scheduled to be held in Committee Room 4 at the Town Hall, Wellington Street, Woolwich SE18 6PW. The attendees included Councillor Anthony Okereke (Chair), Councillor Tom Creswell, Councillor Jeremy Fraser, Councillor Asli Mohammed, and Councillor Jackie Smith. The Chief Executive, Debbie Warren, was also noted in relation to the role being recruited.