Decision

The current Director of Legal and Democratic Services retires on 13th September 2026 following a 19 year career with Halton Borough Council.
It is a legal requirement under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 that Local Authorities have a named Monitoring Officer. Halton Borough Council’s Constitution states that the Director of Legal and Democratic Services is the Monitoring Officer.
A successful external recruitment campaign was carried out in July 2026 with the Appointments Committee unanimously appointing Elizabeth Wilson-Lagan into the named post. As per process, this decision was shared with the Executive Board to offer an opportunity to object to the appointment. No objections were received and the recruitment process has therefore concluded.
Due to the timings of the current post holders retirement and scheduled Full Council, where the appointment needs to be reported and ratified not being until October 2026, an urgent decision has been taken by the Head of Paid Service to name Elizabeth Wilson-Lagan as Monitoring Officer with effect from 14th September 2026 so as to ensure HBC meets its statutory obligations, formalising the Appointment Committee Decision.

Reasons for the decision

Wait until Full Council to confirm the appointment, however that would leave the organisation vulnerable in meeting its obligations to have a named statutory Monitoring Officer given the retirement of the post holder on 13th September 2026. The constitution does refer to the Director of Legal and Democratic Services being the Monitoring Officer, however, this decision has been taken to ensure full compliance prior to Full Council.
Other alternatives such as interim appointment to the statutory position have been considered, however, the costly interim arrangements were not considered appropriate at this time and would still leave the risk of the decision not being reported to and ratified at Full Council until October 2026

Alternative options considered

Wait until Full Council to confirm the appointment, however that would leave the organisation vulnerable in meeting its obligations to have a named statutory Monitoring Officer given the retirement of the post holder on 13th September 2026. The constitution does refer to the Director of Legal and Democratic Services being the Monitoring Officer, however, this decision has been taken to ensure full compliance prior to Full Council.
Other alternatives such as interim appointment to the statutory position have been considered, however, the costly interim arrangements were not considered appropriate at this time and would still leave the risk of the decision not being reported to and ratified at Full Council until October 2026