Council finance chief loses permanent role

TROUBLE-SHOOTING FIONA OUSTED AS NEW STAFF BROUGHT ARE IN

- JANE HAYNES Politics & People Editor

QUESTIONS are being asked by a senior opposition councillor about the decision to replace Birmingham City Council's popular finance chief Fiona Greenway just as the council enters a period of 'relative calm' after two years of economic turmoil.

Fears have been voiced about the "loss of continuity" resulting from a decision to replace Greenway, the interim finance director and Section 151 officer at the council who has recently been overlooked for the permanent job.

She had stepped up to the top job in May 2023 amid a crisis at the council that eventually triggered its de facto bankruptcy.

She was promoted on an 'interim' basis when her predecessor Becky Hellard was axed in light of the council's dire financial situation, equal pay crisis and IT meltdown.

Greenway has since been credited with raising the alarm over the council's perilous finances and then navigating the council through an exceptionally difficult period of chaos, scrutiny and Government intervention, often having to stand alone to do so.