Lichfield council has appointed a new temporary chief executive

A Staffordshire council has appointed a new temporary chief executive.

This comes as the former top council boss at Lichfield District Council announced their sudden resignation late October.

Kerry Dove, the council’s former chief operating officer (COO), will take on the top job following the departure of Simon Fletcher.

She was made COO in December 2022 with the task of transforming and improving the way services are delivered to residents and businesses.

Before joining the council she worked as the Assistant Director for Strategy and Transformation at Staffordshire County Council with responsibility for policy, insight, digital and transformation. Prior to this she worked for the Audit Commission and Telford and Wrekin Council.

Councillors at the local authority were asked last night to approve the interim appointment. It is planned that the recruitment for a permanent chief executive will take place following the local elections after May 2027.

The chief executive role carries an annual salary of £184,530, more than the Prime Minister’s, and includes overall responsibility for the council’s governance.

Council leader Doug Pullen told councillors: “The council is required under section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to designate one of its officers as head of paid service. Given that the current chief executive and head of paid service leaves office on 4 November it is necessary for us to ensure that appropriate statutory arrangements are in place from 5 November.”

The recommendation to appoint Kerry Dove as interim chief executive came from the appointments committee at the council.

The committee considered three options: recruiting an external interim chief executive, running a competitive internal recruitment process or appointing an existing member of staff on an interim basis. It said an external appointment would involve greater costs, while a competitive process could have prolonged uncertainty over the council’s leadership.

The committee recommended an interim appointment. They concluded that this option ensures stability and retains valuable organisational knowledge. Additionally, following the elections in May, greater clarity around local government reorganisation will be known.

A report to councillor said: “Option 3, a ring fenced internal interim appointment was the recommended approach, on the grounds that it balances the Council’s immediate need for stability and continuity, utilises existing skills and experience and preserves the flexibility for the Council to determine its permanent leadership arrangements following the District Council elections in May 2027.

“Following the elections in May 2027, a further report will be brought through the appropriate governance route setting out proposals for the recruitment and appointment of a permanent Chief Executive. By this point, we may also have greater clarity from Central Government on the future direction of LGR.”