Decision

To designate Sian Roxburgh as Interim Monitoring Officer from 17 August 2026 until such time as the permanent appointment of Service Director, Law, Democratic and Members Services (and Monitoring Officer) takes place.

Reasons for the decision

Andrew Perriman, the current Service Director Law, Democratic and Members Services and Monitoring Officer will be leaving his post on 31 August 2026. 

Section 5 (1) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 states that there is a statutory requirement for Council to designate an officer to act as Monitoring Officer.

Whilst designating the Monitoring Officer is within the terms of reference of Full Council, the next scheduled meeting date of Full Council is not until 24 September 2026.

Due to the imminent departure of the current Monitoring Officer and other issues such as the impractical nature of convening a meeting of Full Council at short notice, and ensuring its quoracy during the holiday period of August, mean that there is cause for the Chief Executive to use urgent provisions within the Constitution to designate a Monitoring Officer.

As required by the Constitution, consultations have taken place with the Chair of Cabinet, the Leader, and the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Alternative options considered

Other alternatives have been considered, which include the following:-

·       To convene a special meeting of full Council to appoint a Monitoring Officer. Given the short notice and the timing of the meeting, there is a significant risk that the meeting may be inquorate and a decision may not be able to be made.  This option has therefore been discounted.

·       To rely on the Deputy Monitoring Officers, who have been appointed by the Monitoring Officer.  Whilst they currently act in the absence of the Monitoring Officer due to sickness, leave etc, there is a risk of challenge that the statutory functions executed may not have been taken with proper authority if the Monitoring Officer is no longer an officer of the authority. This option has therefore been discounted.