Chief executives | LocalGov


Lambeth defends Dosunmu payoff 29/04/2025 Lambeth LBC has defended a payoff totalling almost £88,000 to its former chief who admitted failing to stop after a collision and driving without insurance.
Newcastle chief defends Saudi investment 22/04/2025 Newcastle City Council’s chief executive has reportedly defended the authority seeking investment from Saudi Arabia following criticism of engagement with the controversial regime.
EXCLUSIVE: Auditors look into chief's £327k payoff 02/04/2025 Auditors are assessing an objection to Thanet DC's accounts after an ex-councillor said they should declare a £327k payment to its former boss ‘unlawful'.
Council chiefs defend six figure salaries 01/04/2025 Local authority leaders have defended local government salaries exceeding six figures, arguing it is important to attract the ‘right people’.
New LGSCO chief exec appointed 05/03/2025 Julie Odams has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO).
Council U-turn on clawing back chief's pay-out 12/12/2024 Croydon London Borough Council has given up trying to recover cash from the settlement payment made to former chief executive Jo Negrini just before its financial collapse.
London borough appoints chief 15/11/2024 Claire Hamilton is to join Redbridge LBC as its new chief executive.
Ombudsman chief to retire 08/11/2024 The chief executive of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman will retire in May.
East Midlands set for first permanent chief executive 28/10/2024 The East Midlands Combined County Authority has announced Amy Harhoff is to be appointed as its first permanent chief executive.
Council attempts to recover payments to late chief executive 15/10/2024 A council is to launch legal action over payments to a former chief executive, who has since died.
CQC announces new chief executive 07/10/2024 England’s health and social care regulator has announced that Sir Julian Hartley will be appointed as its new chief executive.
Former chief given two-year driving ban 17/09/2024 A former Lambeth LBC boss has been banned from driving for two years after admitting failing to stop after a collision and not having insurance.
Dosunmu steps down as Lambeth chief 10/07/2024 Lambeth LBC has announced that Bayo Dosunmu has stepped down permanently as its chief executive.
Call for chief to resign over postal vote error 02/07/2024 The chief executive of Uttlesford DC is facing a call to resign following delays to the delivery of postal votes.
Housing directors association being explored by LGA 25/06/2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) is exploring the creation of an association of housing directors.
Manchester legend Sir Howard Bernstein dies 22/06/2024 Former chief executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein, has died, aged 71.
Councils and NHS row over Better Care Fund use 18/06/2024 Some Integrated Care Boards are seeking to challenge the parts of the Better Care Fund earmarked for social care funding, LGA councillors have been told.
King recognises council chiefs in honours 17/06/2024 Current and former local authority bosses have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
Government digs in over asylum housing target 29/05/2024 Home Office has doubled down on council concerns over asylum targets and insisted Full Dispersal can ‘strike balance between equity and housing availability’.
Flood councils in urgent £11m cash call 21/05/2024 Councils managing flood risks have urgently called for £11m cash to plug a ‘widening gap’ in Internal Drainage Board (IDB) funding.
Councils frustrated by Whitehall siloes, says chief 07/05/2024 Whitehall’s siloed approach to city centre renewal has led to ‘frustration’ from councils, slowed down projects and increased costs, council chief warns.
Council to announce chief after capacity criticism 15/04/2024 East Devon DC is hoping to announce its new chief executive early next month after peers said senior level capacity was currently ‘limited’.
Five million could be disenfranchised by voter ID, polling finds 11/04/2024 Five million voters could be disenfranchised by the Government’s new voter ID rules at the General Election, first-of-its-kind polling has suggested.
Auditors concerned by slow transformation 27/03/2024 Scotland’s Accounts Commission is ‘extremely concerned’ by slow transformation at Moray Council, which faces a £31m deficit despite years of warnings.
Slough chief to stand down 15/03/2024 Slough BC’s chief executive Stephen Brown is to stand down, the authority has announced.
Breaking: Brum chief exec steps down 13/03/2024 Birmingham City Council chief executive, Deborah Cadman, has announced her intention to stand down after three years in charge.
Two-year Sandwell intervention to end 07/03/2024 Local government minister Simon Hoare has today confirmed that Whitehall’s two-year intervention at Sandwell Council will end.
'Culture of mistrust' found at Newham 04/03/2024 Newham LBC’s chief executive has vowed to tackle the ‘culture of mistrust’ among politicians and officers laid bare by a critical peer review.
LGA 'strengthens' peer challenge but still won't name and shame resistant councils 01/03/2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched its ‘strengthened’ corporate peer challenge (CPC) to help neutralise the threat from Oflog.
Warnings over job cuts repercussions 28/02/2024 Councils embarking on mass job cuts have been warned it will have grave repercussions for the senior managers of the future.
Regulator calls for 'substantial' planning intervention 26/02/2024 The planning system requires ‘substantial intervention’ by the Government to ensure consistent delivery of new homes, a major study has concluded.
Chiefs: Sector can afford senior pay hike 20/02/2024 Council chiefs have insisted their pay settlement must match the award for local government staff after years in which senior wage rises have fallen behind.
Council probe leads officers to ‘step back’ 19/02/2024 Two senior Guildford and Waverley officers have agreed to temporarily ‘step back’ from their roles amid intensifying investigations into housing maintenance contracts.
Mapley to take over from Whiteman at CIPFA 16/02/2024 Hertfordshire CC boss Owen Mapley will take over as Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) chief executive officer when Rob Whiteman retires, it has been announced.
Wales could drive agenda on council tax, report argues 12/02/2024 Wales could have a chance to deal with unfairness in the council tax system and drive the agenda for other nations and regions to follow, says think-tank.
Health boost for Housing First residents, research finds 01/02/2024 Housing First – under which homeless people are guaranteed a home while they access support – reduces demand on health and social care services, study finds.
LGA appoints new chief exec 04/01/2024 Surrey County Council boss Joanna Killian has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Croydon cleared of discrimination claims 02/01/2024 Croydon LBC and its chief executive Katherine Kerswell have been cleared of allegations of racial discrimination by an employment tribunal.
Fourth commissioner appointed at Woking 13/12/2023 The Government has appointed Richard Carr as a managing director commissioner at Woking BC.
Current climate making it ‘impossible’ for councils to carry on 15/11/2023 Soaring demand, rising pay bills and inflationary costs are making it ‘virtually impossible’ to keep councils going, a senior chief executive has said.
Brum commissioners warn council will need further help to agree lawful budget 09/11/2023 Commissioners at Birmingham City Council have warned it will struggle to agree a lawful budget next year without further help.
Council chiefs to receive 3.5% pay increase 02/11/2023 Local authority chief executives will receive a 3.5% salary increase backdated to the beginning of April after agreement was reached on this year’s pay award.
Emergency summit held amid temporary accommodation warnings 31/10/2023 More than 150 councils this week attended an emergency summit as the cost of temporary accommodation to local authorities increases rapidly.
Labour regeneration plans will fail 'without radical action' 31/10/2023 An incoming Labour government’s regeneration plans will fail without radical action to devolve financial decision-making, researchers have warned.
Croydon improvement panel details exit strategy 17/10/2023 Croydon LBC’s Government-appointed improvement panel has outlined a timetable for withdrawing from the authority amid ‘strong progress’ in fixing its finances.
Chief executive retires following resignation calls 13/10/2023 East Devon DC chief executive Mark Williams has announced his retirement.
London Councils eyes apprenticeship levy devolution 09/10/2023 London Councils has named securing devolution of the apprenticeship levy to its boroughs to fund skills and employment activity as a key short-term priority.
LGA chief departs 06/10/2023 Local Government Association chief executive Mark Lloyd will be leaving with immediate effect, the association has announced.
Coroner's deadline for council after Rottweiler mauling 02/10/2023 A licensing team has been given until 13 November to respond after being urged to take a ‘more proactive approach’ following a fatal dog attack.
EXCLUSIVE: LGA chief under threat 27/09/2023 The future of Local Government Association (LGA) chief executive Mark Lloyd today hangs in the balance as the new Labour-led regime considers changes.
EXCLUSIVE: Housing pressures may push councils into effective bankruptcy 04/09/2023 Rising housing pressures will force some councils to effectively declare bankruptcy, a local authority chief executive with more than 40 years of experience in the sector has warned.
EXCLUSIVE: Government rejects sector's Oflog concerns 04/09/2023 The Government has rejected council concerns about key Oflog metrics that have been labelled ‘misleading and meaningless’.
South Lanarkshire begins search for new chief 23/08/2023 The chief executive of South Lanarkshire Council, Cleland Sneddon, has announced he is to retire at the end of the year.
‘Mass exodus’ claims at North Lincolnshire 14/08/2023 North Lincolnshire Council is facing a ‘mass exodus’ of senior staff, opposition members have claimed.
Health backing for police withdrawal delay 08/08/2023 Senior healthcare figures have backed councils’ demand to delay police withdrawal from non-urgent mental health callouts.
Croydon elections 'secure' despite 'justified' criticism 08/08/2023 A review of Croydon’s 2022 elections has backed chief executive Katherine Kerswell’s handling of the delayed result but said some criticism was ‘justified’.
Pay dispute to stretch into autumn 07/08/2023 The local government pay dispute is destined to stretch into the autumn as trade union Unite warned ‘coordinated industrial action’ was ‘inevitable’.
Appointments could spark finance review, says CIPFA chief 03/08/2023 Appointment of a new chief executive, finance director or political leader could provoke an independent review of finances under plans mooted by Rob Whiteman.
Hackney chief to stand down 17/07/2023 Mark Carroll is to step down as chief executive of Hackney LBC at the end of next month.
Lloyd: Pandemic simulation kept secret from sector 12/07/2023 Lessons from a Whitehall-run pandemic simulation exercise in 2016 were kept secret from local government, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has heard.
East Devon chief exec urged to resign 10/07/2023 East Devon DC's chief exec has been urged to resign after the publication of a report into the council's handling of serious allegations against a councillor.
Tributes to 'rare gem' Lord Kerslake 03/07/2023 Figures across local and national government have paid tribute to ‘champion of local democracy’ Lord Bob Kerslake.
Sheffield apologises 'unreservedly' for trees dispute 21/06/2023 Sheffield City Council has apologised ‘unreservedly’ after a report found the authority mishandled a dispute over the felling of thousands of healthy trees.
Council chiefs named in King's Birthday Honours 19/06/2023 Council officers and members were among those to be named on the King’s Birthday Honours list this year.
Long-term solution sought to drainage board pressure 12/06/2023 Councils are seeking a ‘long-term solution’ as internal drainage boards (IDB) warn increasing energy costs will pile further pressure on council budgets.
Chiefs reject pay offer 31/05/2023 Senior officers have formally rejected the ‘full and final’ pay offer tabled by employers.
Councils 'not ready' for Met's mental health withdrawal 30/05/2023 Councils are not ready for the consequences of the Metropolitan Police Services’ decision to withdraw from non-emergency mental health callouts, experts warn.
Court case looms after election blunder 16/05/2023 A councillor who gained the most votes at a recent election faces a court case for her seat after a blunder led officials to announce the wrong winner.
London borough hit by 'severe maladministration' finding 09/05/2023 The Housing Ombudsman has issued seven findings of ‘severe maladministration’ against Hammersmith & Fulham LBC.
Council staff respond to Sudan evacuation 02/05/2023 Councils have been urged to ‘apply maximum flexibility’ when UK nationals returning from Sudan present as homeless.
Hackney chief steps back from duties 24/04/2023 Hackney LBC chief executive Mark Carroll has announced he will be stepping back from his council duties to attend to family matters.
Number of council staff earning over £100k down post-pandemic 19/04/2023 The number of council staff receiving more than £100,000 is nearly at 2,800, according to campaigners, which is down slightly from last year.
County recruits London borough chief 13/04/2023 Staffordshire CC has announced the appointment of Pat Flaherty as its next chief executive.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘It’s time for a new Audit Commission’ 12/04/2023 An ex-senior mandarin has today called for a new Audit Commission as The MJ reveals the draft metrics the Government is considering for its new watchdog.
Councils concerned over Afghan removal plan 12/04/2023 Councils have expressed deep concerns about Government plans to remove Afghan refugees from hotel accommodation amid ‘chronic’ shortage of affordable housing.
Croydon pushes ahead with drive to hold former leaders to account 23/03/2023 Croydon LBC has announced ‘unprecedented action’ to hold ex-senior leaders to account for ‘misconduct, wrongdoing and failures in governance’.
Exeter City Council recruits first female chief executive 15/03/2023 A council officer with nearly two decades of experience in local government has become Exeter City Council's first female chief executive.
LGA to beef up council oversight amid Oflog fears 07/03/2023 The Local Government Association (LGA) today revealed plans to beef up its oversight of councils in an effort to stave off Government interference.
Grievance forces Scottish councils to increase pay for chiefs 03/03/2023 Scottish councils have been forced to axe the pay cap on chief executives after a successful grievance was raised.
Investigator says 'heads must roll' after Croydon collapse 24/02/2023 An independent report into the reasons for the financial collapse of Croydon LBC that has finally been officially published has said ‘heads must roll’.
Bed blocking down by just 3% a month on from £250m plan 22/02/2023 The Government’s £250m initiative to speed up hospital discharges reduced the number of bed blockers by less than 3% in its first month.
Growth for pension pool despite Covid 13/02/2023 One of local government’s biggest joint pension partnerships has now pooled £47.5bn of the £60bn assets under its management.
Auditor calls for national changes after public interest report 01/02/2023 External auditor Grant Thornton has called for national changes after cataloguing a ‘toxic’ culture and ‘dysfunctional environment’ at Cheshire East Council.
Sector given role in NHS plan 31/01/2023 Local government will join an ‘expert group’ with the community sector and care providers to ‘build adult social care capacity’ as part of a new NHS plan.
Rossendale names next chief executive 12/01/2023 Rossendale BC has announced Rob Huntington will become its next chief executive.
Bradford Council chief executive to step down 12/01/2023 Bradford City Council Kersten England has announced she will retire in June.
Council pleads guilty to health and safety breach after Ella Henderson death 10/01/2023 Newcastle City Council’s boss has said new procedures have been put in place after the local authority pleaded guilty to a health and safety breach.
Brown to ask Government to bypass referendum limit 05/01/2023 The chief executive of troubled Slough Council is preparing to ask the Government for permission to increase council tax above the 5% legal limit.
Section 114 notice issued for Thurrock 20/12/2022 Thurrock Council’s interim director of finance, Jonathan Wilson, has issued a section 114 notice as the authority faces a £470m in-year funding gap.
Labour outlines huge devolution push 05/12/2022 Labour proposes removing ‘dead hand of centralisation’ by devolving to local government wide-ranging powers over employment, growth, transport and education.
£470m in-year budget gap at Thurrock revealed 29/11/2022 Troubled Thurrock BC has revealed it has no way to fill its £470m in-year budget gap without a Government bailout.
Interim chief given role permanently 23/11/2022 Swansea City & CC has appointed its interim chief executive on a permanent basis.
Stark Solace survey gives thumbs down to Autumn Statement 21/11/2022 Nine in 10 council managers believe the Autumn Statement will impact negatively on residents, with many frontline services expected to be axed.
Rural services 'may be lost' without funding formula 16/11/2022 Ministers should implement the 2013-14 funding formula which promised to improve rural finances before measures were dampened or risk losing key countryside services, experts have argued.
Think-tank urges litter and fly-tipping crackdown 07/11/2022 Councils should be required to use outsourced firms if they fail to enforce litter and fly-tipping laws, a think-tank has suggested.
Long-buried report reveals 'organisational dysfunction' 03/10/2022 ‘Organisational dysfunction at the most senior level’ of Croydon LBC has been laid bare in a long-buried report leaked to The MJ.
Clarke appointed as local government secretary 06/09/2022 Local government has given new local government secretary Simon Clarke a guarded welcome after he was appointed by new Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Nottingham escapes commissioners threat 02/09/2022 Ministers have held back from appointing commissioners at Nottingham City Council, instead deciding to strengthen the powers of its improvement and assurance board.
Police charge trio of former council chiefs 23/08/2022 Three former council chief executives have been charged as part of an investigation into financial irregularities.
Employers put forward flat rate rise in council staff pay 25/07/2022 Employers have offered a flat rate pay rise of £1,925 to all council staff.