The Appointments Sub-Committee was scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 5 June 2024, to discuss the longlisting process for the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration position. The meeting's substantive business was designated as exempt/confidential, meaning the press and public were excluded from this portion.

Longlisting for Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the longlisting process for the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration. This role is a senior management position within Tower Hamlets Council, with a salary range of £158,000 to £182,000. The report pack outlined the responsibilities of this directorate, which encompasses Housing, Growth and Economic Development, Property and Major Programmes, and Planning and Building Control.

The advert for the position highlighted that Tower Hamlets is the fastest-growing and most densely populated area in the UK, and the role would involve leading services aimed at improving residents' lives. Key responsibilities include managing the four service divisions, developing policy and strategy for Housing and Regeneration, and ensuring services are of high quality and provide value for money. The role also requires working with the Chief Executive and elected members to implement corporate aims and statutory requirements.

The report pack detailed the extensive responsibilities of each division. The Housing division is tasked with delivering more affordable and larger social homes, with an ambitious target for building council homes. It also faces pressures related to homelessness services due to the cost-of-living crisis, private rented sector evictions, and a lack of affordable housing. The division is also managing the return of Tower Hamlets Homes in-house, aiming for strategic alignment of resources and services to address challenges in maintaining existing stock and building new homes.

The Growth and Economic Development division focuses on tackling the cost-of-living crisis and supporting residents through employment, social mobility, and poverty reduction. It also aims to support the borough's small and medium-sized businesses. The Property and Major Programmes division manages around 900 leases and freeholds, with a rental income of £6 million, and oversees a yearly capital programme valued at £175 million, including projects for schools, housing, bridges, and leisure centres. This division also includes Facilities Management, responsible for 226 buildings across the borough. The Planning and Building Control division is responsible for managing the borough's growth and development, including steering the new local plan, managing development, responding to the Building Safety Act, and undertaking infrastructure planning.

The advert emphasised the need for a candidate with demonstrable experience in leading and delivering similar services within a large, complex organisation, including experience in organisational and service change. Essential skills include financial and commercial awareness, budgeting, and financial management. The role also requires political sensitivity, a strong belief in local democracy, and a commitment to the council's values of Together, Open, Willing, Excellent, and Respectful, with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion.

The meeting was also scheduled to address declarations of interest, with a note from the Monitoring Officer providing guidance on Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPIs) and Non-DPI Interests. This guidance outlines the requirements for members to declare interests and, in some cases, withdraw from discussions and voting. The report also referenced Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, which can restrict members from voting if they have council tax arrears.