The Staff and Appointments Committee of Northumberland Council was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, to discuss the appointment of a new Director of Digital and IT. The meeting's agenda indicated that the primary focus would be on the outcome of the selection process for this key role.

Appointment of Director of Digital and IT

The committee was scheduled to consider the outcome of the selection process for the Director of Digital and IT. This role had been vacant since November 2025. The report pack indicated that a nationwide search for candidates had been conducted, with six individuals shortlisted for interviews and an assessment centre held on 25 and 27 March 2026. The assessment process included psychometric testing using Lumina Spark, a staff panel question and answer session, and a presentation followed by a structured interview. The interview panel comprised of Jon Ritchie, Executive Director of Transformation and Resources (Designate); Audrey Kingham, Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education; and Gill O'Neil, Executive Director of Public Health, Stronger Communities and Inequalities.

The report pack stated that Daniel Simms had been identified as the preferred candidate following this assessment. The committee was to be asked to confirm this selection and approve the appointment. The report noted that the appointment would be subject to pre-employment checks and that the commencement date would be confirmed once these were satisfactorily completed. The proposed remuneration for the Director of Digital and IT was Band 16, which equates to £112,240 per annum, excluding employer's national insurance and pension contributions. The report indicated that the cost of this appointment could be met from the existing Information Services revenue budget.

The report also highlighted that the appointment was relevant to all areas of the Corporate Plan, as it related to ensuring the Council's compliance with its constitution and its legal duties for an effective staffing establishment. The committee was reminded of the requirements under the Officer Employment Procedure Rules for the appointment of Chief and Deputy Chief Officers.

It was anticipated that a resolution would be considered to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion of certain information related to this appointment, specifically concerning the candidate's CV, which was attached as a confidential appendix. This exclusion was proposed under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, on the grounds that the information involved the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to an individual.

The meeting was also scheduled to include standard agenda items such as apologies for absence and the disclosure of members' interests, with detailed guidance provided on the procedures for declaring interests in accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct. The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday, 20 May 2026.