The Council's Leadership Team

 Tony McGovern 

 Managing Director (Head of Paid Service)

Qualifications

RGN, BSc(Econ), MSc (Mgmt.), Dip (HRM)

Background

Tony has worked in the public sector since 1985. He has worked in the NHS in a variety of clinical and managerial positions in acute and primary care, including at Chief Executive level. He moved across to local government in 2004 to work for Nottingham City Council as Chief Risk Officer. He has worked at Cannock Chase Council since July 2007 as a Corporate Director with responsibility for frontline services and capital projects. As a result of senior management changes, Tony was appointed by Council to the post of Managing Director and Head of Paid Service from 1 February 2015. In his spare time, he is a Stoke City FC season ticket holder, plays badminton and is a keen cinema goer.

List of Service & Strategic Responsibilities

• To act as principal policy adviser, supporting and advising Members on the implementation of the Council’s strategic vision and priorities.

• To have overall accountability for Council staff and services.

• To ensure the Council’s agreed priorities are delivered and that there is effective corporate governance.

• Build positive and productive relationships with Councillors, trade unions, partner organisations, local MP  and Government departments;

• Direct, influence, lobby, persuade and encourage positive outcomes for the Council through partnership and cross-organisational working.

• Lead in a way that motivates and empowers others across all services and levels of the authority.

• To manage the Heads of Service who are accountable to this post.

• To act as Returning Officer for Parish, District, Parliamentary and other elections.

Shared Service

This post is not shared with another Council.

Email

tonymcgovern@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Tony McGovern's Gift and Hospitality declarations can be downloaded by following this link

The Council's 2017/18 Pay Policy Statement can be downloaded from the 'Organisation Structure and pay' section of our Transparency page

Our 2016/17 Pay Policy Statement can also be downloaded below.

Bob Kean

Deputy Managing Director and Head of Finance (s151 Officer)

Qualifications

CIPFA

Background

Bob has worked in the public sector since leaving college in 1977.He started working life at Dudley MBC as an Audit Clerk and qualified as a Public Finance and Accountancy accountant in 1984. Bob joined Wolverhampton MBC in 1986 and remained there until joining Cannock Chase Council in 2003.

List of Service & Strategic Responsibilities

• Local Taxation and Benefits
• Management of Financial Resources
• S151 and S114 role
• Investment Strategy and Delivery
• Financial Planning
• Capital Strategy
• Accounting
• Debtors and Creditors
• Delivery of Shared Service
• Deputy Managing Director

Shared Service

Yes (Stafford BC)

Email Address

bobkean@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

  Mike Edmonds

  Head of Environment & Healthy Lifestyles

Qualifications

I.R.R.V. (Hons)

Background

Mike has worked in the public sector since leaving school firstly joining the Civil Service before moving into local government in 1984, when he joined Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council. Mike also worked for Solihull MBC before joining Cannock in 1990.

List of Service & Strategic Responsibilities

• Parks and Open Spaces
• Waste Collection
• Grounds Maintenance
• Street Cleansing; Street Furniture
• Environmental Protection incl. Private Sector Housing
• Bereavement Services
• War Memorials
• Contract with WLCT (Client)

Shared Service

No

Email Address

mikeedmonds@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Dean Piper

Head of Economic Prosperity

Qualifications

​BA (Hons) Business Studies
Member of the Institute of Economic Development

Dean has worked in local government since 2005, starting at East Staffordshire Borough Council where he managed the Economic Regeneration team and in later years took on additional responsibilities for research and consultation, partnerships and the LSP. 

In 2014, Dean moved to Wyre Forest District Council where he headed up the North Worcestershire Economic Development & Regeneration (NWEDR) shared service which covered Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest. 

Dean joined Cannock Chase Council as Head of Economic Prosperity in September 2018.

• Planning – Development Control & Planning Policy / Conservation etc.
• Economic Development
• Building Control Shared Service
• Environmental Health – Food Safety, Licensing, Health & Safety (external)

Shared Service

This post is responsible for leading the Building Control shared with Stafford Borough Council.

email

deanpiper@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

 Head of Governance & Corporate Services

 Judith Aupers

Qualifications

CIPFA (Chartered Public Finance Accountant)

Background

Judith has worked in local government since 1983.  She has worked for a County Council and a London Borough before joining Cannock Chase Council in 1997.  Judith has spent much of her career working in Internal Audit and continues to have responsibility for this service alongside a range of others.

List of Service & Strategic Responsibilities

Responsible for ensuring that the Council has appropriate Governance arrangements.  This includes management of the following services:

• Internal Audit
• Insurance & Risk Management
• Civil Contingencies (Incl. BCM)
• Health & Safety (internal)
• Procurement
• Corporate Governance
• Democratic Services including Elections
• Policy & Performance
• PR & Communications
• Data Protection & Freedom of Information
• Customer Services and Social Alarms
• Land Charges
• Support Services
• Shared Services Client Lead Officer
• Scrutiny Lead Officer
• Caretaking & Cleaning of Civic Centre

Shared Service

Yes

Email Address

judithaupers@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

 Head of Housing & Partnerships

 Nirmal Samrai

Qualifications

BA (Hons) FCIH

Background

Nirmal has worked within the Housing Sector since 1988.  She started her career at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council within the Housing Department.  In 2004 she moved to Aspire Housing and then in 2008 she joined Meres & Mosses Housing Association (MMHA) as Head of Housing and Support.  MMHA was part of a group structure with South Shropshire Housing Association and following an internal restructure Nirmal was appointed by Shropshire Housing Group as Head of Housing.  Nirmal joined the Council in November 2016 and is currently the Chair of the West Midlands Chartered Institute of Housing.

List of Service & Strategic Responsibilities

• To manage all aspects of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account, Housing Strategy and Homelessness
• Housing Strategy and Tenancy Services
• Property Management
• Property Maintenance
• Capital Programmes
• Overall responsibility for Depot (Health & Safety etc.)
• Community Safety
• CCTV
• Vulnerable Adults / Child Protection Lead
• Partnerships / LSP
• Property / Asset Management

Shared Service

This post is not shared with another Council.

Email Address

nirmalsamrai@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

  Head of Human Resources & Property           Services

  Neville Raby

Qualifications

Chartered MCIPD

Background

Neville has worked in local government since 1978.  He began his local authority career as a trainee administrator with Warwickshire County Council.  His HR career commenced in 1983 with Warwickshire CC and has since worked in a variety of professional HR roles for Staffordshire County Council and Wolverhampton MBC prior to joining Stafford Borough Council as Head of Human Resources in 2002.  Neville gained responsibility for Property Services at Stafford Borough Council following a restructure in 2009.  Neville became responsible for the shared HR function for Stafford Borough and Cannock Chase Councils in 2011

List of Service & Strategic Responsibilities

On behalf of Cannock Chase DC:

• Ensure the delivery of an effective HR service under the HR shared service SLA
• Act as lead adviser, supporting and advising officers and Members, on all aspects of Human Resources delivery and strategic direction
• Shared responsibility for management of each Council as a member of both senior leadership teams
• Provide leadership and direction in respect of the service and manage the service managers accountable to this post

Shared Service

Yes

Email Address

nraby@staffordbc.gov.uk

 Head of Law and Administration

 Alistair Welch

Qualifications

LLB (Hons), Solicitor

Background

• Alistair started his career in private practice but has worked in Local Government since 1979. His career in Local Government has included periods at County, Unitary and District authorities. In 1988 he joined Stafford Borough Council where he is currently Head of Law and Administration. In 2009 he took over as Solicitor and Monitoring Officer to Cannock Chase District Council in addition to his duties at Stafford. In 2011 the legal services in Cannock and Stafford Councils were combined into a shared legal service for which Alistair is responsible.

List of Service & Strategic Responsibilities

• Legal Services
• Monitoring Officer

Shared Service

Yes

Email Address

awelch@staffordbc.gov.uk

 Peter Kendrick

 Head of Technology

Qualifications

Bsc. Computer Science (Hons)

Background

Peter has worked in the public sector since coming to the area in 1986.  Prior to that he worked on police computers and before that, early versions of software for what developed in later years into the computer mouse. He has worked in several technical jobs in the council and more recently has become the Head of Service for two councils.

List of Service & Strategic Responsibilities

The key role of the Head of Technology is to support the other services of the council in their use and adoption of Information Technology.
The Technology Service brings together 3 areas, which are the Computer section, Reprographics and Addressing. 

The responsibilities of the head of service includes -

Computer Section.

• Provide strategy, advice and support to the council
• Ensure that the council’s use of technology is appropriate and within the allotted budget.
• Ensure the security of the council’s data.
• Provide an email, mobile phone and landline telecoms service for the council

Addressing & GIS

• Ensure that the council has a comprehensive list of addresses and they are linked to a location on an electronic map.

Reprographics

• Provide a cost effective printing service for the council that includes minutes and agendas, letters, booklets, leaflets and newsletters.

Shared Service

The Technology Service was initially shared with Stafford Borough Council on 1st January 2011.  All parts of the service are included in this arrangement.

Email Address

Pkendrick@staffordbc.gov.uk