The Appointments Committee of Cardiff Council met on Tuesday 8 September 2026 to consider the appointment of a new Director for Adult, Housing & Communities. The meeting's agenda focused on the initial stages of the recruitment process, specifically the longlisting of candidates for this senior role.

Appointment of Director - Adult, Housing & Communities

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the consideration of candidates for the position of Director, Adult, Housing & Communities. This role, advertised with a salary of £152,392 per annum, is responsible for providing strategic analysis and advice to the Cabinet, Scrutiny Committees, and the Council on the delivery of services within the Adult, Housing, and Communities directorates. The recruitment pack outlines that the successful candidate will be expected to lead strategic and transformational change, ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the Council's strategic choices, and continuously improve outcomes for the residents of Cardiff.

The role's key accountabilities include translating the Council's vision into effective strategies for Adult Housing and Community Services, providing high-quality advice to Cabinet Members and Councillors, and fostering strategic partnerships. The Director will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and other relevant legislation. The areas of responsibility for this position are extensive, encompassing Hubs and Community Services, Advice and Benefits, Adult Social Services, Adult Safeguarding, Independent Living and Preventative Services, Telecare, Housing Services for 15,100 Council homes, Homelessness and Specialist Housing, and the Council's Housing Development programme.

The recruitment process was scheduled to involve an Assessment Centre followed by interviews, with the longlisting of candidates being the focus of this particular meeting. The report pack details a range of behavioural competencies expected of candidates, including Putting Our Customers First, Getting Things Done, Taking Personal Responsibility, Leading Change, Initiating Change and Improvement, Partnering and Corporate Working, Analysing, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Equality and Diversity, Optimising Resources, and Demonstrating Political Acumen. ¹

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as the election of a Chair, receiving apologies for absence, and declarations of interest. A further item concerned the Terms of Reference for the Appointments Committee, which are to discharge the authority's functions regarding the appointment and dismissal of Chief Officers and Deputy Chief Officers, as defined by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (Wales) Regulations 2006. The agenda also noted that information relating to the appointment of the Director would be excluded from publication, citing paragraphs 12 and 13 of Part 4, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The date for the next meeting, focused on shortlisting, was set for 2 October 2026.