The search is set to begin for arguably the most important staff member at Powys County Council: the next section 151 chief finance officer.

At a meeting of Powys County Council (PCC) on Thursday, October 8, councillors agreed to begin the process of finding a replacement for section 151 officer and director of corporate services Jane Thomas, who is set to retire in May next year.

The report suggests the roles could be split, with different people potentially filling the section 151 officer and director of corporate services posts.

The section 151 officer has distinct legal responsibilities and is expected to provide independent advice. Without the officer’s sign-off, the annual budget cannot be approved.

The report also asked the council to approve a pay rise for the director of education, Dr Richard Jones.

Council chairman Cllr Geoff Morgan (Reform UK, Ithon Valley) said: “Before we start the debate, we’re not having any individuals named, it’s about the post, if you name individuals, you will be stopped.”

Chief executive Emma Palmer said: “This report is to seek approval, to approve the appointment process for the role of director of corporate services and to approve the correct remuneration for the director of education based on an independent Korn Ferry Hay job evaluation review.”

Acting head of people services Gemma Gabriel explained that the changes to the director of education’s pay were being made because of “equal pay obligations and consistency of grading arrangements in the council’s approved pay policy”.

Currently, the director of education is one of two senior staff roles at the council designated as “director grade 2” and carrying a salary of between £103,022 and £111,335 a year.

The other role at “director 2” level, which does not carry the director title, is chief officer for place.

The pay rise would see the director of education move up to the “director 1” band, with a salary of between £116,572 and £124,881 a year. This would put the role on the same level as the director of corporate services, director of social services and director of economic development and growth.

Along with the chief executive, this means Powys County Council has six senior staff members earning more than £100,000 a year.

Councillors agreed to the report, allowing the recruitment process for the director of corporate services to begin.

A timeline provided by the council suggests a job advert will be published in specialist media as soon as possible, with a deadline of Sunday, October 25, for applications.

The shortlisting process will follow, culminating in a “selection event” next month.

Candidates will attend an Employment and Appeals Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, November 18, before being interviewed by the full council on Thursday, November 19.