Elected councillors decide on the key policies of the council. Paid council officers then put those policies into practice and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the council’s business.
The council is managed by the Chief Executive.
The Deputy Chief Executive and Directors are each responsible for certain areas of the council's work.
The council employs around 700 staff, including refuse collectors, planners, environmental health officers and many others responsible for a wide range of services in the local community.
By law, senior council staff are not allowed to participate in any party political promotion and are expected to advise and assist all councillors.
Our structure
Our organisational chart is split by responsibility area into:
- Place
- Communities and Environment
- Finance, Revenues, and Benefits
- Digital, Customer, and Organisational Development
- Planning and Growth
- Housing
Staff roles and responsibilities
John Robinson, Chief Executive
Responsible for the work of the Council's paid staff.
Delivers:
- Leadership
- Strategic direction
- Policy advice
- Partnerships
- Operational management
- Returning Officer
- Head of Paid Service
- Monitoring Officer
- Community Plan
Matthew Finch, Deputy Chief Executive - Place
Delivers:
- Housing
- Communities and Environment
- Planning and Growth
Nick Wilson, Director of Finance, Revenues, and Benefits
Delivers:
- S151 officer
- Financial Services
- Revenues, Benefits, and Transactional Services
Deborah Johnson, Director of Digital, Customer, and Organisational Development
Delivers:
- HR and Training
- Administrative Services
- Customer Services
- Transformation and Service Improvement
- Law and Information Governance
- ICT and Digital Services
- Communications and Marketing
- Democratic Services
- LGR
Jenny Walker, Director of Communities and Environment
Delivers:
- Public Protection
- Environmental Services
- Heritage and Culture
- Health and Community Relations
Matt Lamb, Director of Planning and Growth
Delivers:
- Economic Growth and Visitor Economy
- Planning Development
- Planning Policy and Infrastructure
- Assets, Estates, and Facilities
- Major Project Delivery, Repairs, and Compliance
- Regeneration
Suzanne Shead, Director of Housing
Delivers:
- Housing Services
- Housing Income and Leaseholder Management
- Housing Repairs and Empty Homes
- Housing Strategy and Service Development
- Building Safety and Asset Investment