Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council names Susan Zeiss as Monitoring Officer

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has announced it is to appoint Susan Zeiss as Monitoring Officer in the autumn of this year.

Councillors approved Ms Zeiss’ appointment at a meeting of the Council (Tuesday 7 July), following an interview by a panel of senior councillors and officers, including the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Leader of the Opposition, Chief Executive Graham Farrant and Head of HR and OD Lucy Eldred.

Zeiss joins from the soon-to-be disbanded Northamptonshire County Council where she served as General Counsel for more than three years.

As the current General Counsel and Monitoring Officer at Northamptonshire County Council, Zeiss is part of a new senior management team moving the council into financial stability and a sustainable base for the transition to unitary councils.

Zeiss started her local government career at Dorset County Council in 2003 where she eventually led the Environmental, Contract and Property team as Principal Solicitor.

She has also worked at a deputy director level in the Environment Agency.

Chief Executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Graham Farrant said: “Susan is a highly experienced Director of Law with an extensive working background in local government and played a pivotal role in re-shaping the transformation of the Environment Agency into DEFRA as part of an extensive change programme.

“I am confident that Susan’s track record of delivering hands-on operational excellence in large complex organisations will prove invaluable as we continue our transformation within BCP Council.”

It is anticipated that Zeiss will take up her role at BCP Council in the early autumn.