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Following the departure of the
Council's Monitoring Officer, Lauren McCann, on 25 June 2025,
Louise Round was appointed as interim Director of Governance and
Law and designated Monitoring Officer (with effect from 25 June
2025) pending formal approval at the meeting of the Council on 8
July 2025. This is an interim measure pending the appointment to a
new permanent Director of Governance and Law.

Reasons for the decision

A local authority is legally
required to designate certain statutory officer posts, among which
is the role of Monitoring Officer under the provisions of Section 5
of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The primary role of
the Monitoring Officer is to ensure lawfulness and fairness of
decision making. 
 
The Monitoring Officer
contributes to the promotion and maintenance of high standards of
conduct through the provision of support to the Audit, Governance
and Standards Committee. The officer is also responsible for the
maintenance of the Register of Members’ Interests and the
separate Register of Gifts and Hospitality and provides advice on
the scope of powers and authority to take decisions,
maladministration, financial impropriety, and budget and policy
framework issues to all Councillors.