Big changes are afoot at Liverpool City Council with key directors leaving the authority and others joining in crucial positions.
The city council is in the process of recovering from the devastating Max Caller report and currently has a team of government commissioners overseeing the work in some key departments - and the restructuring that is taking place.
That restructuring began in earnest just a few days before the Caller Report exposed the huge problems and failings that had been taking place at the council in March.
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Ahead of the report being read out in Parliament, the council's then-director of regeneration, Nick Kavanagh, was dismissed from his role following a lengthy disciplinary hearing.
Mr Kavanagh was arrested in 2019 as part of a Merseyside Police corruption probe. He denies wrongdoing and has not been charged.
In June, the council appointed an interim development boss in the form of Mark Bousfield.
Mr Bousfield has joined the recovering authority on an interim basis, following a six-month secondment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The ECHO also understands that Andy Barr has left his role as Assistant Director for Highways and Planning, having first joined the city council in 2012.
According to Mr Barr's Linkedin profile, his position at the council ended in August this year.
The ECHO also understands that another key director is also leaving the council, with Martin Farran believed to be moving on from his position as Director of Adult Services.
With all these outgoings, the council is now on something of a recruiting spree, with some new roles being created along the way.
In a meeting of the authority's appointments committee last month, which was closed to press and public, a number of these positions were discussed.
The panel agreed to progress candidates for the new position of Chief Operating Officer, a role expected to answer in to Chief Executive Tony Reeves as he continues to work towards turning around the council's fortunes.
The council is also recruiting for a new Strategic Director for Adults and Health, with candidates to replace Mr Farran also being progressed to the next stage of the assessment.
Another big change is coming in the council's legal team after the departure of long-standing City Solicitor Jeanette McLoughlin.
The authority today announced that Daniel Fenwick will take on the role, having previously worked as the Director of Legal and Governance at the London boroughs of Newham and Havering.
Mr Fenwick will also take on the important role of Statutory Monitoring Officer, and will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of conduct from council members and officers.
A key part of his role will be to support the council’s improvement journey, building on work already underway to ensure the highest levels of compliance, due-diligence and scrutiny in all matters relating to the council.
Mr Fenwick said: "I am excited and privileged to be joining Liverpool City Council at this important time.
“I will do everything I can to help deliver the ambitious programme of improvements in governance across the council.
“I know Liverpool is a city that has not stood still in recent years. Despite the challenges it faced, it is very much looking to the future with a strong plan in place to become a fairer city with more equal opportunities for its residents.
“I look forward to working with the Mayor, councillors and all officers in the months and years ahead.”
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