The Staff and Appointments Committee of Northumberland Council was scheduled to meet on Monday, 30 March 2026. The primary item on the agenda was the appointment of a Deputy Chief Fire Officer, with a report detailing the selection process and a recommendation for a preferred candidate.

Appointment of Deputy Chief Fire Officer

The committee was scheduled to consider the outcome of the selection process for the position of Deputy Chief Fire Officer. A report was presented outlining the process undertaken to fill this vacant role, which has been unoccupied since June 2025. The report indicated that Stephen Kennedy, the current Assistant Chief Fire Officer, had been acting in the role during this period.

The selection process involved a nationwide search, with Stephen Kennedy being the sole candidate shortlisted for interview. This process included a psychometric assessment, a technical interview conducted by Peter Heath, Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, a staff panel question and answer session, and a presentation followed by a structured interview. The interview panel comprised Councillor Gordon Stewart, Chair of the Fire Authority, Peter Heath, and Keith Carruthers, Chief Fire Officer (Designate) of Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service. Dr Helen Paterson, Chief Executive, Sarah Farrell, Director of People and Culture, and Phil Alcock, an Executive Coach, observed the process.

The report stated that the interview panel identified Stephen Kennedy as the preferred candidate, based on a thorough assessment of his skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as his fit with the council's values and the Nolan Principles. The committee was asked to accept the findings of the selection panel and to approve the appointment of the preferred candidate. The report also noted that the offer of employment would be subject to necessary pre-employment checks, with an intended commencement date of 1 April 2026.

The remuneration for the Deputy Chief Fire Officer was proposed to align with the National Joint Council for Brigade Managers of Fire and Rescue Services terms and conditions (Gold Book), with a spot salary at the top of NCC Band 17, £136,163 (Scp 71). This cost was stated to exclude employer's national insurance and pension contributions. The report highlighted that the appointment was relevant to all areas of the Corporate Plan, ensuring the council's compliance with its constitution and legal duties for an effective staffing establishment.

The committee was also informed about the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, which require notification to the Leader and Cabinet of any intention to appoint a Chief or Deputy Chief Officer, allowing them an opportunity to raise objections. The report confirmed that no substantial or well-founded objections had been received.

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, confirmation of previous minutes, and disclosure of members' interests. A confidential appendix was attached to the report, containing the CV of the preferred candidate. The meeting was scheduled to consider urgent business if necessary, and the date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday, 15 April 2026. A portion of the meeting was designated for private business, where the press and public would be excluded due to the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to an individual.