The Richmond and Wandsworth Joint Staffing Committee is scheduled to consider the national pay award for local government employees and proposed changes to the executive leadership of children's services across both boroughs. The committee will also discuss the potential establishment of a new Housing Directorate.

National Pay Award 2026/27

The committee is scheduled to consider a report detailing the outcome of the 2026/27 national pay negotiations for local government employees. Agreements have been reached across the three national negotiating bodies, covering Chief Executives, Chief Officers, and the wider National Joint Council (NJC) workforce. All have agreed to a 3.3% increase, effective from 1 April 2026. The report indicates that the pay awards for the Chief Executive and NJC workforce will be implemented through the October 2026 payroll, with backdated payments to 1 April 2026. The report also highlights that the agreed 3.3% increase will result in a budget pressure of approximately £1.7 million per year across both boroughs, which will be incorporated into future financial strategy updates. The report is from Sam Olsen, Executive Director of Change and Innovation.

Executive Leadership of Children's Services

A report is scheduled for consideration regarding the executive leadership arrangements for children's services across Richmond and Wandsworth. This follows interim arrangements put in place after the previous Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Children's Services in Wandsworth was appointed Chief Executive. The proposals suggest a permanent arrangement where the Executive Director of Children's Services for Richmond would have strategic oversight of children's services across both boroughs. This would involve a restructuring of senior leadership roles in Wandsworth to create a Corporate Director of Children's Services, who would hold the statutory responsibilities of the Director of Children's Services (DCS) for Wandsworth. The report, authored by Chief Executive Ana Popovici, outlines that this structure aims to ensure better alignment of children's services and explore shared service opportunities. The proposed structure is expected to generate a net saving of £209,000 per annum across the two boroughs. The report also details the proposed member appointment process for the Corporate Director role, with an internal recruitment process planned initially.

Proposed Establishment of the Housing Directorate

The committee is scheduled to consider a report concerning the proposed establishment of a Housing Directorate. The details of this discussion are not publicly available, as the report is marked as restricted due to the likely disclosure of exempt information. The resolution to exclude the press and public states that this is because it is likely that exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act would be disclosed to them if they were present. The reasons cited for maintaining exemption include the personal nature of the information relating to an identifiable individual and the potential inhibition of free and frank advice or exchange of views. This item is also reported on by Chief Executive Ana Popovici.