City council names Tapping as new Director of Legal & Governance, ends sharing of role with county

Peterborough City Council has named Rochelle Tapping as its new Director of Legal & Governance.

The role is no longer being shared with Cambridgeshire County Council and will be dedicated to Peterborough.

Tapping will form part of Peterborough’s executive team of five “which is tasked with delivering ambitious plans to ensure the council’s financial sustainability and improved opportunities for Peterborough, the fourth fastest growing city in the UK”.

She will join the council on 14 November and take responsibility for legal and governance services which includes electoral services, information governance and democratic and constitutional services.

Tapping is currently Assistant Director for Legal Services and Deputy Monitoring Officer for Birmingham City Council.

Prior to this she held Deputy Monitoring Officer roles for both the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and Central Bedfordshire Council.

Tapping said: “I am delighted to be joining Peterborough City Council. Financial sustainability and good governance go hand in hand and are paramount to the council. Peterborough is rising to its challenges and championing change, with an improvement journey that will positively benefit residents. Officers and members are committed to the success of the council and this is great to see. I really look forward to joining and the great achievements ahead."

Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “It is great news that we have attracted someone of the calibre of Rochelle to Peterborough and I look forward to working with her.

“With the opportunities and challenges ahead of us in Peterborough we need someone who can hit the ground running and with Rochelle’s extensive local government experience I believe she can do just that.”

Matt Gladstone, Peterborough’s chief executive, said: “I am delighted to welcome Rochelle to Peterborough. She is a strong appointment for the city as we progress towards financial stability and improving outcomes for all our residents.

“The role of monitoring officer is crucial to ensuring that the council operates within the law and with transparency and in the best interests of residents, businesses and all our stakeholders. I look forward to working with Rochelle.”