Somerset Council is yet again searching for a permanent chief financial officer (CFO) after its latest chosen candidate withdrew for personal reasons. This marks another hurdle for the authority, which is legally required to have a CFO — also known as the finance director or Section 151 officer — responsible for managing the council’s budget and overseeing day-to-day public service spending.
Since the departure of Jason Vaughan in September 2024, Somerset Council has relied on interim appointments to fill the role. Initially, Maria G. Christofi, formerly from Redbridge Council in Greater London, stepped in, followed by Clive Heaphy, ex-chief executive of Middlesbrough Council.
The council had recently appointed Rachael Sanders, previously with Herefordshire Council, as a permanent replacement, anticipating stability ahead of its early-March budget approval. However, Sanders’ unexpected withdrawal means Somerset Council must renew its search, leaving Clive Heaphy to continue as interim CFO until March 2027.
READ MORE: Boy Arrested Following Vandalism at Somerset Coach Depot
READ MORE: Somerset Travellers’ Site Approved for Expansion to Accommodate Seven Families
A council spokesperson confirmed the change: “Rachael Sanders has decided not to take up the role as chief finance officer for personal reasons. Clive Heaphy will continue in his role until March 2027, subject to contract. This extension provides crucial continuity and stability during a critical period as we progress plans to recruit a permanent Section 151 officer.”
The next year is pivotal for Somerset Council as it embarks on a major transformation programme, aiming to save money by streamlining frontline service delivery. Heaphy recently warned that the council will not receive further exceptional financial support from central government, raising concerns about balancing next year’s budget if the transformation does not deliver expected savings.
He stated: “We won’t be getting a fourth year of exceptional financial support. If we do, it would come with government intervention. We have to get control of our own lives, which means cutting costs either by reducing services or through transformation.”
Opposition Conservative councillor Diogo Rodrigues criticized the council’s handling of the situation, calling it symptomatic of wider mismanagement under the Liberal Democrat administration. “This is becoming the job no one wants,” Rodrigues said. “The candidate who pulled out would have been the fifth finance officer in just four years. Such turnover is unusual and points to political instability at the top. This is Lib Dem chaos, and Somerset taxpayers are bearing the cost through higher council tax bills.”