Liverpool Council's finance boss who resigned last month will continue to be paid until the end of August, the ECHO understands.
Mel Creighton quit her roles as director of finance and deputy chief executive for the city council at the end of May in the wake of a £16m energy contract scandal that has engulfed the troubled authority. Ms Creighton had come in for criticism after a number of major errors were made that left the council and its partners facing an enormous electricity bill.
On May 30 the council confirmed Ms Creighton had quit. Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson and chief executive Tony Reeves said they had accepted her resignation. It was announced she would officially leave her role at the end of August.
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The ECHO now understands that while Ms Creighton will continue to be paid by the council until the end of August, it is not expected that she will return to work. In an email sent by Mr Reeves to all councillors on Friday, he confirmed the appointment of a new acting chief finance officer - also known as a Section 151 officer.
Mr Reeves told members that Chris Buss, recently appointed as interim deputy Section 151 officer will now act up into Ms Creighton's more senior role. His email said: "I have agreed with the commissioners and the mayor for Chris to now take on the role of acting director of finance and resources and acting S151 officer to cover whilst Mel Creighton is currently absent from work and currently in her notice period. This is an ‘acting up’ arrangement in the immediate short term. Should Mel return to work in her notice period, Chris will revert to his previous role of deputy s.151 officer during this time."
According to the most recent council accounts for the financial year of 2020/21, Ms Creighton was paid an annual salary of £152,669 in her role as director of finance, with an additional pension contribution of £25,800. However, since those accounts were published, Mr Creighton also took on the additional role of deputy chief executive for the council. This added position will have increased Ms Creighton's overall pay.
An independent investigation is being carried out by accountants firm Mazars into what went wrong relating to the £16m energy contract saga. A full report is expected by the end of June. A team of government commissioners currently overseeing work at the city council have now submitted a second report to the Secretary of State Michael Gove, which will be made public in the coming weeks.
There is speculation the energy contract mess could lead to further government intervention, potentially with the appointment of a specific finance commissioner. Liverpool Council said it does not comment on individual personnel matters.
