Executive Director of Finance and Performance (S151 Officer) set to depart for new role
Finance22 March 2024
North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Director of Finance and Performance (Section 151 Officer), Janice Gotts, is set to depart this June for a leadership role at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Janice started in December 2020 with the North Northamptonshire Shadow Authority in preparation for the new unitary council which came into existence in April 2021.
Janice has been instrumental in putting in place solid financial and performance management arrangements at the council as well as leadership of the revenue and benefits service, corporate procurement and internal audit. Her achievements include:
- Being a key part of a team that has ensured a safe operational transition from the previous two-tier local government arrangements to the new unitary authority
- Worked with senior colleagues and members to ensure the council has a firm grip of its financial and service performance, working hard to drive service improvement and value for money in our operations
- Under Janice’s financial leadership, the council has set four balanced budgets. It has invested in vital services and delivered significant savings including the identification of £23.8m of efficiencies for the year ahead
- Put in place rigorous internal audit, financial governance and risk management arrangements to ensure the effective stewardship of the council’s financial and service operations
- Provision of a strong revenue and benefits service that has not only collected income to support vital council services but has also supported payments to numerous residents and businesses in times of need, such as during the pandemic and to assist with cost-of-living pressures
- Delivering wider transformation across the Council and supporting capital investment programmes
Janice has done an excellent job of keeping the council laser-focused on the need to deliver a balanced budget. This has been no easy task given the service demand and financial pressures we have faced but Janice has done it superbly well.Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council
Janice will leave us with strong financial foundations in place. There are significant challenges ahead, but we are in a strong position to tackle them.
I am very pleased for Janice and I wish her the best in her new role.
I am very grateful for my time with North Northamptonshire Council and the experience it has given me, including the opportunity to work alongside some wonderful people.Janice Gotts, Executive Director of Finance and Performance
I am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved together to lay the foundations of a new Council and transform our services for the future during challenging times. It has been such a privilege to work with so many people that are committed to making North Northamptonshire a great place to live and to thrive.
We recognise that it is a fantastic opportunity for Janice at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and congratulate her on her appointment. Creating North Northamptonshire Council was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Janice should be immensely proud of the work that she has done across all the services under her leadership.Adele Wylie, Chief Executive of North Northamptonshire Council
We will soon embark on our search for our next Executive Director of Finance and Performance to join us in continuing to drive improvements in public services in North Northamptonshire.