Heather Jameson 12 October 2023

Birmingham 'actively exploring' action against s151

Birmingham actively exploring action against s151 image
Image: trabantos / Shutterstock.com.

Birmingham City Council is ‘actively exploring’ possible action against its former director of council management Becky Hellard for her role in the collapse of the council.

It comes amid a growing debate over whether the budget was legal if senior finance officials knew the scale of the equal pay liability and failed to include it.

According to a senior Birmingham source, officials were warned of a potential £800m equal pay liability on 3 February – three weeks before the budget was set.

The source told The MJ the council was ‘actively exploring the options in relation to pursuing Ms Hellard, in relation to her conduct in the performance of her statutory role as s151 officer and more broadly as the director of council business management and implementation of the Oracle ERP system’.

To continue reading visit The MJ (£).

If this article was of interest, then check out our features, 'Preventing future Section 114 notices', 'How to fix local government finance', and 'Budgetary Breaking Point: Learning from Birmingham’s mistakes'.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner