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Thanet names Sameera Khan as interim monitoring officer

Sameera Khan has been appointed as Thanet District Council’s Interim Monitoring Officer and Head of Legal Services.

She started in the post yesterday (Monday 18 July).

Her appointment came at the same full council meeting where Colin Carmichael, previously the Chief Executive of Canterbury City Council for more than 25 years, was named Interim Chief Executive.

Thanet's Leader, Cllr Ash Ashbee, said: “I’m delighted with this appointment to the role of Interim Chief Executive. Colin brings with him a wealth of experience, leading a neighbouring authority for a number of years and extensive knowledge of the local area.

“The focus will be on supporting us through the implementation of the Independent Monitoring Officer’s recommendations and leading on a restructure of our Corporate Management team.

“I am absolutely confident that Colin will drive the organisation forward through the next stages of our journey and help to build the foundations for the future of Thanet District Council. I look forward to working closely with Colin and ensuring we provide the best possible services we can to our residents.”

The outgoing chief executive, Madeline Homer, left the local authority last month in the aftermath of an Independent Monitoring Officer's (IMO) investigation into divisions at the local authority.

In May Quentin Baker, the Director of Law & Governance at Hertfordshire County Council who was appointed as the IMO, set out a series of recommendations to help resolve a dispute among senior management that been ongoing since 2019. These recommendations, which were approved by councillors, included a review of the constitution and a restructuring of the Corporate Management Team (CMT).

In his Lessons Learnt Paper, Mr Baker found that organisational problems at the local authority had stemmed from a "schism" that had developed between CMT members.

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