Issue - meetings

To determine any other items of business which the Chairman decides should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972

Decision

RESOLVED

To note that the Chief Executive had taken a decision under delegated authority  to appoint the Deputy S151 Officer on a temporary basis as S151 Officer for the month of May, whilst interim arrangements are made to cover the designation with another local authority in Norfolk, pending advertising and recruiting a new Director of Resources.

Reason for the decision:

The Council is required to have a S151 Officer as this is a statutory role.

The Chairman informed members that there was one item of urgent business regarding the appointment of a temporary S151 Officer.

Following the Council’s Director of Resources leaving the authority at the end of April, it is necessary for the Council to appoint, under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972, a Chief Finance Officer.

The Council’s Deputy Section 151 Officer, Daniel King, Assistant Director of Finance and Assets has advised that whilst appropriately qualified this isn’t a responsibility he would wish to take on permanently so early in his career.  He has therefore agreed to take on the statutory role for the month of May, whilst interim arrangements are made to cover the designation with another local authority in Norfolk, pending advertising and recruiting a new Director of Resources.

A report on the appointment of an interim Section 151 Officer resource will be prepared for the Full Council meeting of the 21^st May 2025.  In the meantime, Daniel King will take on this responsibility, supported by deputies Jenny Carroll, Chief Group Accountant and Claire Waplington, Chief Technical Accountant.

The above arrangements have been put in place under delegation to the Chief Executive exercising urgency provisions, as advised by the Monitoring Officer.

It was RESOLVED

To note that the Chief Executive had taken a decision under delegated authority  to appoint the Deputy S151 Officer on a temporary basis as S151 Officer for the month of May, whilst interim arrangements are made to cover the designation with another local authority in Norfolk, pending advertising and recruiting a new Director of Resources.

Reason for the decision:

The Council is required to have a S151 Officer as this is a statutory role.