The Council was required under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 to make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs and must secure that one of its officers had responsibility for the administration of those affairs.

Following the resignation of the Finance Director (‘the Section 151 Officer’) on 28 August 2016, there was a need for the Council to formally appoint a person as its Chief Finance Officer/ Section 151 Officer.

Part VIII of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 describes the qualifications required for appointment and the functions and duties of the role.

The role of Finance Director (Section 151 Officer) was advertised and interviews were held by a Panel of Members in accordance with Part 4.7 ‘Staff  Employment Procedure Rules’ of the Council’s Constitution. John Chance was offered the position and he accepted. His starting date is 1 November 2016.

A Panel of Members had been set up for the 6 September 2016 in accordance with Part 4.7 ‘Staff Employment Procedure Rules’ of the Council’s Constitution to consider the current Deputy S151 Officer, Rameshwar Prashar to be appointed Section 151 Officer for the interim period and John Chance as the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) from 1 November 2016.

The Chief Executive advised Members that the Staff Appointments Committee had met on the 6 September 2016 and had unanimously agreed and recommend to the Extraordinary Council that Rameshwar Prashar be appointed as its Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) with immediate effect till 31 October 2016 and that John Chance be appointed as its Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) from 1 November 2016. 

Council Members thanked Mr Leslie for his work as Finance Director.

Cllr McKinlay MOVED and Cllr Kerslake SECONDED the recommendation in the report and it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that the Council appoints:

1.    Rameshwar Prashar as its Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) with immediate effect till 31 October 2016.

2.    John Chance as its Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) from 1 November 2016.

Reasons for Recommendations

The Council is required by Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 to make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs and must secure that one of its officers has responsibility for the administration of those affairs.