​Newry, Mourne and Down District Council at ‘massive risk’ over director failures

The council has seen a number of its senior management leave the local authority in the last financial year.

A recent audit report to councillors showed three (Neighbourhood Services/ Active and Healthy Communities/ “deputy chief executive designate,”) “senior employees,” left the council in the middle of 2022 and early 2023.

The chamber also heard another director (Sustainability and Environment) is due to leave, with a recruitment process in place.

Two other directorships are identified on the audit report including Corporate Services and Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism.

Downpatrick SDLP rep, Gareth Sharvin said: “It may be a short lived risk, but we need to acknowledge that it is a risk.

“May be come January we close the risk out, but I think we need to be able to track it in the event that we don’t close out recruitment come early next year.

“How can I accept this risk report as it stands, when a massive risk could yet still be added?”

A council officer responded: “In relation to the recruitment of directors, we can look to see if we run a separate risk or we can run with one of the corporate risks that we have.

“In as far as managing the risk, you’ll be aware of the timetable presented and that a panel has been identified and a realistic timetable for recruitment put in place.”

On the advice of CEO Marie Ward, the risk register was accepted by councillors with potential future risks to be identified.

NMDDC has now since clarified its recruitment situation.

A spokesperson said: “The council’s senior management team consists of four directors – Active and Healthy Communities, Corporate Services, Economy, Regeneration and Tourism, and Sustainability and Environment.

“All positions are currently filled, with the exception of the director Active and Healthy Communities, which became vacant in April 2023.

“The recruitment process to appoint a director to this position has commenced and an appointment is expected in due course. Following completion of this process all senior management positions will be filled.

“In 2019/2020, the council agreed to a new organisational directorate and management structure, which does not have a designated deputy chief executive position.

“However, the role of deputy chief executive can be carried by a director in addition to their own role.

“Furthermore, it did not have a Senior Management Team consisting of six senior officers.

“Looking ahead, a recruitment process for a replacement director of Sustainability and Environment will also take place this year as it is known that this position will become vacant in April 2024.

“An appointment to this position next year will ensure a full senior management team continues to be in place.”