Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Executive

Summary

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the Council’s arrangements for a Section 151 Officer and Chief Finance Officer going forward.

Recommendations

Council is recommended:

(1)               Confirm that the Council is happy to pursue the principle of a shared Section 151 Officer and Chief Finance Officer with another local authority.

(2)               Delegate to the Chief Executive and the Leader of Council authority to negotiate and conclude an arrangement for sharing a Section 151 Officer and Chief Finance Officer with South Northamptonshire District Council and confirm that if such arrangements are successfully concluded that the shared officer will be this Council’s designated Section 151 Officer until end 28^th February 2011.

(3)               That Phillip O’Dell continue as the Council’s Section 151 and Chief Finance Officer after 31^st March 2010 until such time as alternative arrangements are approved.

(4)       That it be noted that Phillip O’Dell has nominated the Head of Finance, Karen Curtin, as Deputy Section 151 Officer and Deputy Chief Finance Officer authorised to act in his absence and it is anticipated that a shared 151 Officer would do the same.

Council considered a report of the Chief Executive setting out the proposed Section 151 arrangements for the Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Reynolds and seconded by Councillor Macnamara that the recommendations as set out in the report be approved.

Resolved

(1)               That the Council confirms it is happy to pursue the principle of a shared Section 151 Officer and Chief Finance Officer with another local authority.

(2)               That the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of Council, be delegated authority to negotiate and conclude an arrangement for sharing a Section 151 Officer and Chief Finance Officer with South Northamptonshire District Council and confirm that if such arrangements are successfully concluded that the shared officer will be this Council’s designated Section 151 Officer until end 28^th February 2011.

(3)               That Phillip O’Dell continue as the Council’s Section 151 and Chief Finance Officer after 31^st March 2010 until such time as alternative arrangements are approved.

(4)               That it be noted that Phillip O’Dell has nominated the Head of Finance, Karen Curtin, as Deputy Section 151 Officer and Deputy Chief Finance Officer authorised to act in his absence and it is anticipated that a shared 151 Officer would do the same.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding future Section 151 arrangements for Cherwell District Council.

Council is requested to:

1) Agree that the Strategic Director, Customer Service and Resources be appointed as the Council’s Section 151 and Chief Finance Officer and the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make consequential amendments to the constitution to enable this decision.

2) Note that that the Strategic Director, Customer Service and Resources has nominated the Chief Accountant , Karen Curtin, as Deputy Section 151 and Deputy Chief Finance Officer authorised to act in her absence.

The Strategic Director Customer Services and Resources left the room for the duration of this agenda item.

Council considered a report of the Chief Executive setting out the proposed Section 151 arrangements for the Council. Members congratulated Julie Evans, Strategic Director Customer Services and Resources, on qualifying as a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy, and thanked Phil O’Dell, Interim Head of Finance, for his assistance to Cherwell District Council and Karen Curtin, Chief Accountant, for taking on extra responsibilities.

It was proposed by Councillor Macnamara and seconded by Councillor Wood that the recommendations as set out in the report be approved.

Resolved

1)         That the Strategic Director, Customer Service and Resources, Julie Evans be appointed as the Council’s Section 151 and Chief Finance Officer and the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make consequential amendments to the constitution to enable this decision.

2)         That the Strategic Director, Customer Service and Resources has nominated the Chief Accountant , Karen Curtin, as Deputy Section 151 and Deputy Chief Finance Officer authorised to act in her absence.