The Combined Authority is a streamlined and efficient body that complements rather than replaces existing local authorities. The new body has a small officer support team but most of its resource draws on the skills and capacity that already exists within the constituent local authorities. The Combined Authority has a legal duty to appoint three statutory officers to meet its legal obligations:
Interim Head of Paid Service – Jane Robinson, Chief Executive of Gateshead Council and Chair of 7 North East Local Authorities Chief Executives Group
The Head of Paid Service is required to report to the Combined Authority on staffing resources and arrangements for proper management of these resources when appropriate.
Interim Monitoring Officer – Vivienne Geary, Head of Law and Governance, North Tyneside Council
The Monitoring Officer is required to report on unlawful decisions or omissions which are or which are proposed to be taken.
Interim Chief Finance Officer – Sonia Tognarelli, Head of Financial Resources, Sunderland City Council
The Chief Finance Officer is required to report where a decision is proposed that will result in unlawful expenditure or which will result in a loss or deficiency or expenditure outside the authority’s available resources.