Conservatives urge East Herts Council to share a chief executive to cut costs

Conservatives have called for East Herts Council (EHC) to share a chief executive with another authority to save money.

The suggestion was made at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (Oct 1) as the Green and Liberal Democrat executive members pressed ahead with the budget for 2025-26 and a medium-term financial plan from 2025 to 2035.

Papers presented to the meeting show that the chief executive’s office is set to cost £373,000 in the next financial year, rising to an estimated £411,000 in 2034-35.

Last month Richard Cassidy quit as chief executive in a shock move effective two days after it was announced. His deputy, Helen Standen, is the interim boss, but the Tories want a more radical response to finding a permanent replacement.

Cllr Graham McAndrew (Bishop’s Stortford, Thorley Manor) told the administration that major capital projects, including Castle Park and Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre in Stortford, had been completed. He pointed out that council operations – such as dealing with planning applications – were declining and services such as pest control had been outsourced.

He said: “East Herts was approached in the past by a neighbouring council with a proposal to share the chief executive officer (CEO) role. With the resignation of the current CEO, we now have a window of opportunity to revisit this option.

“Given the scale of completed projects, the streamlined operations and the strategic direction of the council, a part-time shared CEO, potentially shared with another authority, would not only meet our current needs but also deliver cost efficiencies.

“I therefore propose that we seriously evaluate this structure to ensure that we are making prudent use of our resources while maintaining strong leadership.”

At the meeting, EHC leader Cllr Ben Crystall, of the Green Party, said the administration would look at Cllr McAndrew’s proposal.

Later, Conservative group leader Cllr Bob Deering told the Indie: “There is a clear sense of drift at East Herts Council. The Lib Dem/Green coalition has been in charge for 18 months now and it’s difficult to see that they’re delivering anything for the residents of East Herts.

“The Old River Lane project is drifting and there are no other projects on the horizon. The recent parking consultation in Bishop’s Stortford attracted just one resident and planning committee meetings are regularly cancelled.”

At the same time that Mr Cassidy’s departure was announced, the council confirmed head of strategic finance and property Stephen Linnett was retiring in November.

Cllr Deering said: “The simultaneous departure of both the chief executive and the chief finance officer gives the administration the chance to grasp the nettle and reorganise the make-up of the senior staff.

“Given the council’s reduced level of activity, sharing a CEO with another authority would deliver significant savings and should plainly be looked at.”