IT has been announced that the officer at the epicentre of Thurrock Council's catastrophic collapse is leaving the authority.

The alleged rise – and then calamitous fall - of the council's financial strategy has always had at its heart, finance director Sean Clark.

Under his guidance and reported leverage with what are now seen as 'dodgy' or disreputable companies, Thurrock Council invested hundred of millions of pounds of borrowed money.

For two years, since Thurrock Nub News exclusively revealed the council's borrowing had surpassed the billion pound mark, the council has teetered on the edge of a financial cliff, finally plunging into disrepute and virtual bankruptcy in September last year.

Mr Clark has been the focal point of attention but over the past sixth months he disappeared from public view and his suspension from his job, alongside the suspension of CEO Lyn Carpenter, was one of the first landmarks on the road to ruin.

His role has been pivotal in events at the council and he has taken the brunt of much public criticism, particularly when it was revealed he had ignored expert advice over a period of time and also apparently acted without authority in sanctioning deals – after being instructed not to do so by the council's cabinet.

Since last September little has been seen or heard of Mr Clark in public but he has continued to receive his salary of more than £140,000 a year.

Now it has been announced he has tendered his notice.

A brief statement from council says: "Sean Clark, Corporate Director Resources and Place Delivery, has tendered his resignation which has been accepted. Sean's last day will be Wednesday 12 April 2023."

Nub News has been told that Mr Clark will 'continue to work with the team of commissioners' currently investigating the council's financial position and supporting the preparation of the best value report'.

He has not been given any additional payment and will leave, after having worked his agreed period of notice.

The best value report into the council's position, which is set to give detailed information about what happened at the council over the past few years - going back to the origins of the by to invest strategy in 2015 – was due to have been published in early January.

It was then announced the depth and detail of things discovered by the commissioners as they probe the UK's biggest local government financial crash meant it would be delayed until February – and Nub News understands it will now be late February, or even March, before it is published.

To help the commissioners with their work, and to continue to manage its finances going forward, the council has entered into a contract with a financial expert, who will be spending time working alongside Interim Director of Finance, and Section 151 Officer Jonathan Wilson.

Gareth Moss will work under the title of Interim Chief Financal Officer as he brings his considerable experience to bear – though he doesn't come cheap. Nub News understands he will be paid around £1,300 a day for his work with the council.

Indeed, the whole commissioner process is continuing to add to the council's costs. It is estimated that the cost so far of the commissioners and their investigations is around £200,000.

Gareth Moss.

Mr Moss has considerable experience and as far back as 2009 was a winner of the Local Government Chronicle Finance Director of the Year. He has a track record of success in running complex operations, and among other responsibilities is chair of the John Taylor Multi Academy Trust in the Midlands.

He is also Finance Director of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy.

Nub News understands the initial commitment is for him to work with Mr Wilson as and when required over the next three months.

Mr Wilson has been at the forefront of the council's affairs since stepping up to take responsibility following Mr Clark's suspension and he has been warmly praised for his work, his frankness and being up front on public appearances including several committee meetings when councillors have questioned him about the past – and the future.

At a full council meeting earlier this month he was lauded by acting CEO, another to step up and take on responsibility after September's suspensions and the departure of Lyn Carpenter.

Mr Wake said: "I would like to thank Jonathan Wilson for stepping up in a time of crisis."

He described his efforts as 'gargantuan' and thanked him for spending 'hundreds of hours' on the diagnostic path to try and create a path to recovery.

Mr Moss's appointment is not the only change in the council hierarchy as Nub News has discovered that John Jones, who was only appointed in December as Interim Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer has tendered his resignation.

Mr Jones is contracted on a part time basis but Nub News understands his tenure will come to an end because he has told the council that the position requires more time than he can give it, such is the depth of the current situation as the authority reshapes itself.

The council is currently inviting applications on a full time basis and searching for expert help and Mr Jones will continue in post until a full time replacement is found.