Issue - meetings

To designate a Section 151 Officer (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director - Corporate which sought the designation of the Council’s Section 151 Officer.

The Leader introduced the report, noting the following points:

• The Council’s Interim Section 151 Officer, would soon be leaving at the end of his contract and therefore the Council had a statutory obligation to designate a new Section 151 Officer
• The Chief Officer Employment Panel had met recently and supported the appointment of Russell Stone as the new Director of Finance
• Russell Stone was highly experienced in local government finance, having most recently served at North Kesteven District Council as Section 151 Officer.

Consideration was given to the report and there following queries were raised:

• Members asked whether it would be possible for a breakdown to be provided detailing the total costs incurred by the authority from the date of the resignation of the previous Section 151 Officer up to the appointment of the new postholder? Could it also include all associated expenses such as interim arrangements, recruitment advertising, and any other costs linked to securing the new appointment?
  • The Leader confirmed that this information could be provided to Members in writing after the meeting

DECISION:

That Russell Stone, the Council’s incoming Director of Finance, is designated as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect from 3^rd November 2025.