Dan Peters 08 June 2022

Warning over second s114 at troubled council

Warning over second s114 at troubled council image
Image: Russel Wills / Geograph.org.uk

Conservative-run Northumberland Council may be hit by a second section 114, a senior officer has admitted.

The council last month issued a s114 notice for unlawful expenditure connected to its international consultancy – including allowances paid to its chief executive Daljit Lally.

Speaking at an extraordinary meeting of the council today, interim executive director of finance, Jan Willis, was unable to rule out the prospect of another s114.

She revealed there were ‘some matters’ she was looking into - including two exit payments made to senior officers – adding: ‘Watch this space is what I’d say.’

Ms Willis said there was ‘underlying weakness in the governance arrangements’.

She continued: ‘This is a failure of process and a failure of controls.

Mr Caller, whose review found a ‘climate of fear and intimidation, a lack of organisational stability, and dysfunctionality in senior levels of the council,’ suggested Ms Lally should move on to allow the council to ‘reset’.

His review team described the council’s culture as ‘promoting suspicion and mistrust’ and accused some senior officers of having ‘contempt for the current cabinet’.

Visit The MJ for more on this story.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner