The sector is facing a recruitment crisis for section 151 officers, The MJ has been told.
An increasing number of s151s are understood to be moving to interim roles, where they can command premium rates of as much as £2,000 per day for such a high risk and stressful role.
National lead for public sector recruitment across resources and corporate services for executive search firm Penna, Andrew Tromans, said: ‘The job is so all consuming now.'
Tromans continued: ‘It's not an easy market. There are no easy to fill vacancies and there are not enough interim people to go round.
‘There's been a lot of change in elections this year and I think there's going to be a lot of change next year. The politics and the finances just don't lend themselves to someone who isn't experienced, but the demand for experienced candidates far exceeds supply.
‘Retaining good s151 officers is critical – losing them poses a significant risk. Forward planning is essential to avoid unsustainable salary demands.'
Tromans added: ‘Local government reorganisation will be really tough because people are going to be running things in shadow so they will have to do twice the amount of work. The silver lining is that there will be a strong next generation cohort coming through because of the experience they're getting at the moment.'
Former president of the Association of Local Authority Treasurers Societies, Duncan Whitfield, said there was ‘undoubtedly' a recruitment crisis for s151 officers at the moment, ‘especially as we move into the local government reorganisation period'.
He added: ‘There is a constant demand for interim roles, which are certainly available for those wishing to enter that market, and an increasing reliance on agencies to fill gaps temporarily. Uncertainty being caused by future local government reorganisation is providing further disruption over and above some unenviable challenges caused by ongoing real term pressures on funding and soaring demand on statutory services.'
President of the Society of County Treasurers (SCT), Rob Powell, said: ‘There are several headwinds that are making recruitment to s151 officer roles more challenging. This is why SCT has launched the new Future County Finance Leaders programme to develop the next generation of s151 officers, recognising the talent pipeline in our sector and ensuring we promote these brilliant roles.'
For local government recruitment, including hard to fill vacancies, contact The MJ on 01625 614000 or email jobs@spacehouse.co.uk
