Kingston Council has hired a temporary finance director to watch the public purse.
Peter Derrick was Chamberlain at the City of London for nine years as well as a former Hammersmith and Fulham chief executive.
Tracie Evans, who was a key part of the cost-cutting One Council project and of the funding arrangements for the Rose Theatre, announced she was leaving in July, weeks after director for education Patrick Leeson stunned colleagues with his resignation.
Another key director in finance, Jeremy Randall, is currently off work with an achilles injury but chief executive Bruce McDonald has returned to work after hurting himself while cycling.
The council’s accounts are still open to view by the public until the end of the month before the district auditor decides whether or not to give the authority a clean bill of health.
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