The Appointments Sub Committee met on Wednesday 5 June 2024 to consider the longlisting for the Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration position. The meeting was held in private due to the confidential nature of the business.

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 is a senior management role within the council, with a salary range of £158,000 to £182,000. The role involves leading a newly created directorate responsible for housing, economic development, property and major programmes, and planning and building control.

The report pack outlined the extensive responsibilities of this position. The Housing division is tasked with delivering more affordable social homes and council homes, while also addressing pressures on homelessness services exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis and a lack of affordable housing. The division is also overseeing the return of Tower Hamlets Homes' housing stock in-house. The Growth and Economic Development division focuses on supporting residents through employment and tackling poverty, as well as assisting small and medium-sized businesses. The Property and Major Programmes division manages a significant property portfolio and a substantial capital programme, including schools, housing, and leisure centres. The Planning and Building Control division is responsible for managing the borough's growth, including the adoption of a new local plan and responding to the Building Safety Act.

The role requires demonstrable leadership in delivering similar services within a large, complex organisation, with an ability to lead organisational and service change. The successful candidate would need strong financial and commercial awareness, effective budgeting and financial management skills, and political sensitivity. The council's TOWER values – Together, Open, Willing, Excellent, and Respectful – were highlighted as important attributes for candidates.

The meeting was scheduled to consider exempt and confidential information, meaning the press and public were excluded from this part of the proceedings. The agenda also included a note from the Monitoring Officer regarding declarations of interest, outlining the procedures for Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPIs) and Non-DPI interests, as well as guidance on predetermination and bias.