Permanent Guildford finance boss to be approved

Guildford Borough Council shares some senior staff with neighbouring Waverley

An interim finance boss at two Surrey councils is set to be handed the role permanently after no other applicants applied.

Guildford Borough Council - which is currently at the centre of a fraud probe - shares some senior staff with neighbouring Waverley Borough Council.

Richard Bates has been interim executive head of finance at both authorities since July 2023 and was interviewed for the permanent role on 12 April.

Guildford is currently undergoing an investigation into alleged fraud in its housing department.

Documents for the Guildford council meeting where Mr Bates' appointment is due to be approved show the annual salary for the role is £127,850.

He is due to be approved for the role by Guildford councillors at a meeting on Tuesday, and at Waverley on 23 April.