Decision

An urgent decision has been taken to implement
acting up arrangements for the Director of Law & Governance and
Monitoring Officer role, following the recent resignation of the
former postholder. The interim cover will be structured as
follows:

Robin Watson to act as Interim
Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer, paid the
full salary as an interim role – i.e.
£130,695. 

The intention is to commence an external
recruitment process for permanent appointment later this year.
 

Reasons for the decision

The former Director of Law and Governance left
the council’s employment on 31 August 2025.  Under Section 5 of the Local Government &
Housing Act 1989 (as amended), the Council has a duty to designate
the role of Monitoring Officer to an officer of the authority. This
appointment is a member decision under the Councils constitution but an urgent decision has been taken
to ensure that we have a Monitoring Officer in post whilst we
undertake a permanent recruitment process.