Councillors to decide on new chief executive and finance chief for WNC
West Northamptonshire councillors are set to appoint the authority's new chief executive and chief finance officer at a meeting next week.
An extraordinary meeting of West Northamptonshire Council will take place at Northampton Guildhall on Thursday, August 13, where members will be asked to approve the appointments.
Martin Henry has been recommended for the permanent role of chief executive and head of paid service, subject to councillors' approval.
Mr Henry has served as the council's resources executive director and chief finance officer since the creation of the unitary authority in 2021. He has also been acting as interim chief executive since November last year.
Councillors will also be asked to appoint James Smith as the council's new chief finance officer, also known as the Section 151 officer.
Mr Smith, a chartered accountant with more than 25 years' experience in the public sector, is currently WNC's corporate director for finance and procurement. He has served as deputy chief finance officer since the council was formed and played a key role in the transition to the unitary authority.
If approved, Mr Smith will succeed Mr Henry in overseeing the council's finances, while Mr Henry takes on the authority's most senior officer role.
The appointments follow a selection process and require formal approval by the full council before they can be confirmed.
The extraordinary meeting will begin at 5pm on Thursday, August 13, at Northampton Guildhall. It will be streamed live on West Northamptonshire Council's YouTube channel, with the agenda and reports available on the council's website.