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Extraordinary Meeting, Employment Committee - Tuesday, 4th November, 2025 3.00 pm
November 4, 2025 Employment Committee View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Employment Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Tuesday, 4th November 2025, to discuss recruitment for senior roles and review coroner salaries. The committee approved recommendations for the recruitment of the Director of Finance (S151 Officer) and the employment of the Executive Director of Adult Services, and also approved recommendations for the Review of Coroner Salaries and Fees for 2025/26.
Recruitment of the Director of Finance (S151 Officer)
The committee approved recommendations to continue the recruitment process for the Director of Finance (S151 Officer) with Penna PLC. The terms of the appointment will be amended to include the option of a two-year fixed-term contract and to offer the post at Executive Director grade, with a salary proposition and market supplement designed to attract the right candidate. Sophie Fowler, Head of Service Strategic Resourcing and Workforce Planning, presented a report detailing the recruitment process. It was noted that the market for senior finance roles is highly competitive, with a high demand for experienced leaders in financial transformation and data-driven decision-making. Despite initial interest, no suitable candidates meeting the required extensive expertise and experience had been found. The report outlined three options, with Option 3 being recommended. Councillor Brian Moore raised a query about an interim director who had been appointed full-time, questioning the need for further recruitment. Councillor Ged Mirfin also inquired if the interim director had been recruited through Penna. The committee acknowledged the challenging market and the need for a high performer in this critical role.
Employment of the Executive Director of Adult Services and Statutory Director of Adult Social Services
The committee approved recommendations concerning the employment of the Executive Director of Adult Services and Statutory Director of Adult Social Services. Sophie Fowler presented a private and confidential report outlining the interim arrangements for this role and proposing to secure the services of the current postholder under a fixed-term contract until March 2028.
Review of Coroner Salaries and Fees 2025/26
The committee approved recommendations for the 2025/26 pay award for Senior, Area, and Assistant Coroners' salaries and fees. Ann Edwards, Coroners Service Manager, presented a private and confidential report on the matter. The report had been deferred from a previous meeting to allow for additional benchmarking data on Coroner salaries to be provided, which had since been included.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Review of Coroner Salaries and Fees 2025/26
Recommendations approved...to implement a 4% pay award across the Senior, Area, and Assistant Coroner salaries/daily rates for 2025/26.
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Employment of the Executive Director of Adult Services and Statutory Director of Adult Social Services
Recommendations Approved...to secure the services of the Executive Director of Adult Services and Statutory Director of Adult Social Services under a fixed term contract until March 2028.
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Exclusion of Press and Public
Recommendations Approved -
Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 September 2025
Recommendations ApprovedThe Employment Committee of Lancashire Council decided to note the appointment and remuneration of the Chair of the Local Pensions Partnership Limited Board and the appointment of the Shareholder Adviser/Non-Executive Director on 04 November 2025. Officers were asked to provide further benchmarking data and bonus criteria for Directors of Local Pension Partnership Investments and Local Pension Partnership Limited.
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Recruitment of the Director of Finance (S151 Officer)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Lancashire Council Employment Committee approved recommendations on 04/11/2025. The committee agreed to continue with Penna PLC and amend the terms of appointment to include a 2-year fixed-term contract option and offer the post at Executive Director grade with a salary proposition and market supplement.
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