Cheshire East Council is on the hunt for another top officer, after head of finance Alex Thompson handed in his notice.

Mr Thompson is quitting his role as director of finance and customer service in May to take up the post of executive director for finance and transformation at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council .

Councillors at Tuesday's (February 27) meeting of the full council will be asked to authorise chief executive Rob Polkinghorne to recruit an interim chief financial officer in consultation with the appointments committee chairs.

Director of finance and customer service at Cheshire East Council, Alex Thompson (Cheshire East Council).

They are also being asked to authorise the committee to begin the hunt for a permanent replacement.

This could prove to be yet more unexpected expense for the cash-strapped council if it has to appoint a temporary finance boss via an agency rather than appointing from within as agencies hike up the cost.

Alex Thompson told Nub News: "I would like to thank all the colleagues, members and partners at Cheshire East Council who I have worked with over the years. 

"I have worked at Cheshire East Council in various roles since 2009 and have been proud to be a part of the council's many successes.

"I'd like to thank Rob, my corporate leadership team colleagues, and especially my team for their support. will of course miss them. 

"Looking ahead, I look forward to meeting new colleagues, members and partners at Sandwell, and the many opportunities my new role will bring."

Chief executive of Cheshire East Council, Rob Polkinghorne (Cheshire East Council).

Cheshire East recently paid £1,200 a day for temporary chief executive David Parr OBE.

Agency fees took the total daily figure paid by Cheshire East up to £1,380.

In 2019, the council had to appoint an interim monitoring officer on a whopping £1,154 a day.

Sixteen per cent of that went to the recruitment agency. Councils have to appoint a chief financial officer.

Chief executive of Cheshire East Council, Rob Polkinghorne, said: "I would like to congratulate Alex on his appointment as executive director for finance and transformation at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.  

"Alex has been a valued member of the council's corporate leadership team and I thank him for his work as director of finance and customer services and section 151 officer. 

The full council meeting took place at 11am on Tuesday 27 February at Macclesfield Town Hall (Nub News).

"We are currently in the final stages of budget setting for the year ahead and Alex and the team he leads have shown remarkable dedication, commitment and drive throughout our budget setting process. 

"Alex will be leaving us in May and so will be continuing to support the process into the new financial year." 

The full council meeting took place at 11am on Tuesday 27 February at Macclesfield Town Hall.

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