Liverpool Council is moving closer to appointing staff to a series of key roles including a new deputy chief executive.
In May, Mel Creighton, former director of finance and deputy chief executive, stepped down from her role following the disastrous energy bill error that engulfed the local authority. Ms Creighton, who had been in post for three-and-a-half years, was soon followed out of the door by her boss, Tony Reeves, who left his position as chief executive in July.
Now, the council’s appointments and disciplinary panel is to meet next week to consider proposals to interview a candidate for the post. The appointment of a new deputy chief executive, to work alongside interim top officer Theresa Grant, is one of four roles the council is looking to fill permanently.
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Among them is a permanent incumbent of the position of director of finance and chief finance officer. Following Ms Creighton’s resignation in the Spring, her replacement was only able to remain in post for 10 weeks.
It is thought Chris Buss was unable to commit to the role on a full time basis having joined in June. The new officer would be tasked with working alongside new finance commissioner Stephen Hughes, who was installed by Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, last week.
The committee will also consider a report on recruitment to the post of director of internal audit and agree a shortlist of applicants as well as a shortlist to become the authority’s new director of integrated commissioning and interview the recommended candidates. Last month, a two year plan was unveiled detailing how Liverpool Council manages its contracts following a wide ranging external assessment.
The damning Caller Report and appointment of commissioners in 2021 led to an intense focus being placed on how the local authority manages procurement. Further heat engulfed the authority including the failure to renew more than a dozen “high level” contracts.
The handling of council contracts was heavily criticised in the second report issued by government appointed commissioners, with officials documenting how the authority “has made no significant progress in improving the way it manages its contracts, or the mechanisms it has in place to purchase goods and services.” The appointments will be discussed when the committee meets at Liverpool Town Hall next Tuesday.
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