Somerset Council’s interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will earn nearly £300,000 annually—substantially more than the Prime Minister’s salary of approximately £167,000—despite working just four days a week. This arrangement highlights the council’s ongoing struggles to secure permanent financial leadership amid a difficult recruitment market.
Under UK law, every local authority must appoint a Section 151 officer, tasked with ensuring responsible management of public funds and council spending. Following the departure of Jason Vaughan in September 2024, Somerset Council has depended on interim CFOs: initially Maria G. Christofi from Redbridge Council, followed by Clive Heaphy, former chief executive of Middlesbrough Council.
The council had managed to recruit a permanent successor, Rachael Sanders from Herefordshire Council, but she withdrew abruptly citing personal reasons. Consequently, Heaphy will remain in the interim role until April 2027, working four days per week for a salary just under £300,000.
READ MORE: Third Person Arrested Following Serious Somerset Park Assault
READ MORE: Van Flips on Side, Halting Traffic on M5 in Somerset
Conservative opposition leader Councillor Diogo Rodrigues criticised this in a council meeting held on May 20 in Bridgwater, pointing out the high cost. Rodrigues noted that extending Heaphy’s contract will require an additional £89,000 for one year, a cost funded by the council’s capitalisation directive. He remarked, “There’s clearly no stability when we have an interim officer costing us twice as much as the Prime Minister.”
The capitalisation directive allows the council to sell assets to cover operational costs, a measure granted by central government with a caution that no further similar support would be offered. Council Chief Executive Duncan Sharkey acknowledged the recruitment challenges, citing a tough market complicated by ongoing local government reorganisations and talent retention within local areas. He affirmed the council’s active search for a permanent CFO while balancing budget-setting timelines.
Council leader Bill Revans emphasised the national shortage of qualified CFO candidates, explaining the need to pay competitive interim rates to maintain strong financial leadership. He said, “While a permanent appointment is preferable, our priority is stability and continued progress from financial emergency towards recovery.”