The Chief Officer Appointment Committee of Newham Council met on Thursday 3 September 2026. The primary item on the agenda was the establishment of a sub-committee to oversee the appointment of a new Corporate Director of Resources, also known as the Section 151 Officer.

Establishment of Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee

The committee was scheduled to discuss the establishment of a Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee. This sub-committee would be responsible for making an appointment to the critical role of Corporate Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer). The report pack outlined the job description for this position, which includes undertaking the statutory role of the Section 151 Officer, delivering the council's fiduciary duty to residents, and leading on the council's commitments related to the Climate Emergency. The role is politically restricted and requires an experienced individual with a strong financial background and the ability to drive innovation.

The report indicated that Gatenby Sanderson had been appointed as external recruitment consultants to assist in sourcing candidates. A proposed timetable for the recruitment process was included, with activities such as advertising, application closing, longlisting, and interviews scheduled between July and September 2026, with the final appointment sub-committee interview to be confirmed.

The composition of the Chief Officer Appointment Sub-Committee was also a key point for discussion. The report specified that the Mayor of Newham, Forhad Hussain, would be a standing member, though they could nominate another member to chair. The sub-committee would require a quorum of three members and its composition needed to be appropriate for the appointment, reflective of the council's guidance on diverse recruitment panels, and subject to rules on political proportionality. The need for at least one substitute member was also highlighted.

The financial implications of the appointment were noted, with the role graded at CD1, carrying a salary range of £181,872 to £202,470. The estimated recruitment fee for external consultants was £25,000 plus VAT, to be borne from the Resources Budget.

Legally, the report stated that the recommendations would align with the Council's Constitution and Officer Employment Procedure Rules, and all appointments must comply with general employment legislation and the council's recruitment policy. The Section 151 Officer is one of three statutory posts for the council, alongside the Head of Paid Service and the Monitoring Officer.

The report also addressed equalities implications, stating that the committee would ensure a fair and equitable recruitment process in line with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies and the Equality Act 2010. The council's process for ensuring Diverse Recruitment Panels was referenced, with supplementary guidance attached. The decision to proceed with recruitment was supported by the Chief Executive, Maria Christofi, and was prompted by the resignation of the previous Corporate Director of Resources on 31 May 2026.