The Appointments Committee met 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 committee was scheduled to consider the longlisting of candidates for the significant role of Director, Adult, Housing & Communities. This position, 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 role requires leadership in strategic and transformational change, ensuring the effective implementation of the Council's strategic choices and continuously improving outcomes for the residents of Cardiff.

The recruitment pack outlined the extensive responsibilities of the Director, which include overseeing Hubs and Community Services, Library Services, Advice and Benefits, Adult Social Services, Adult Safeguarding, Independent Living and Preventative Services, Telecare, and Housing Services for 15,100 Council homes. The role also encompasses homelessness and specialist housing, partnership working, and a client role for the Council's Housing Development programme. Key measures of success for this position include continually improving outcomes for vulnerable people, client satisfaction, achievement of corporate priorities, effective resource management, and satisfaction of councillors with the professional advice and service delivery.

The advertisement for the role highlighted the challenges faced by the directorate, such as increasing demand for support, housing, and care services, alongside complex needs and ambitious national targets within uncertain financial resources. The successful candidate would need to demonstrate excellent leadership skills, the ability to understand complex problems, and develop practical solutions. The selection process was planned to involve an Assessment Centre followed by interviews, with the Assessment Centre and interviews anticipated to take place during September and October 2026.

The report pack also detailed the 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, and Optimising Resources. These competencies are designed to ensure that the appointed Director can effectively lead and manage the directorate in line with the Council's values and strategic objectives, including the Stronger, Fairer, Greener vision.

The terms and conditions for the permanent appointment were also provided, outlining salary, annual leave, hours of work, sick pay, pension, and political restriction in accordance with relevant legislation. The role is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

The committee's next meeting was scheduled for 2nd October 2026, at 2:00 PM, also remotely via Teams, for the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process.