Islington Council has appointed Paul Clarke as its permanent Chief Finance Officer, also known as the Section 151 Officer. The appointment was formally confirmed at the Annual Council meeting held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
This role is a legal requirement under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972, which mandates that local authorities must have arrangements in place for the proper administration of their financial affairs, with a designated officer responsible for these duties. The Section 151 Officer has responsibility for the 'proper administration of their financial affairs' for the local authority.
Paul Clarke had previously been serving as the Interim Chief Finance Officer/Section 151 Officer since May 15, 2025, following the resignation of the previous permanent officer. The reasons for the previous officer's resignation were not detailed, but it led to the appointment of an interim officer.
The council confirmed that a competitive and rigorous recruitment process was undertaken for the Corporate Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer post, leading to the recommendation for Mr. Clarke's permanent appointment. The existing budget within the Resources directorate already accommodates the cost of this vital role, and the appointment ensures the council continues to meet its legal obligations without additional financial implications beyond the existing budget for the post.
To ensure the integrity of the role, the Section 151 Officer must be a member of a specified accountancy body, as required by Section 113 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. The council's Constitution also details the specific functions of the Chief Finance Officer/Section 151 Officer.
The appointment was formally confirmed at the Annual Council meeting, details of which can be found in the Reissued Agenda 27th May 2026 and the Public reports pack 27th May 2026.