Fresh turmoil strikes Mid & East Antrim Council – with ratepayers left facing unanswered cost questions

Council’s Interim Chief Executive, Valerie Watts

Fresh upheaval has emerged at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council following the sudden termination of a senior management contract, a move that has raised questions over governance, transparency and potential financial implications for ratepayers.

Love Ballymena understands that Valerie Watts, who has been Council’s Interim Chief Executive since June 2022, has ended the contract of the interim Director of Operations with immediate effect, following what she described as a loss of confidence in leadership and management within the Operations Directorate, including the waste service.

The decision, outlined in an internal email sent to councillors and seen by Love Ballymena, has resulted in the Interim Chief Executive taking direct oversight of the Council’s waste service for a three-month period, supported by agency assistance and with additional involvement from the Strategic Investment Board (SIB).

A newly appointed Director is due to assume responsibility from 1 April.

Financial implications remain unclear

Given the potential impact on public finances, Love Ballymena asked Mid and East Antrim Borough Council specifically about the financial implications of:

• The immediate termination of the SOLACE contract

• The Interim Chief Executive taking on additional operational responsibilities

• The appointment of agency management and support arrangements

The Council did not provide any information on the cost of these measures, nor did it confirm whether they would result in additional expenditure.

In response to queries, a Council spokesperson said:

“The Interim Chief Executive is responsible for staffing matters and as such has followed relevant procedures. Council does not comment on personnel matters.

“The Waste Service operates as normal and the Interim Chief Executive is making alternative management arrangements that will be in place until the arrival of the new Director on 1st April.”

The statement did not confirm that the arrangements would be cost-neutral, leaving open the question of whether additional costs will ultimately be borne by the borough’s ratepayers.

Questions over accountability and consultation

Love Ballymena also asked why elected members were not consulted prior to the decision, particularly given the scale of the change and its potential financial implications.

In her email to councillors, the Interim Chief Executive requested that members avoid discussion of the matter, describing it as a staffing issue she had dealt with in her role as Head of Paid Service.

While staffing decisions fall within the remit of senior officers rather than councillors, the absence of consultation has raised concerns around accountability, transparency and scrutiny, especially where decisions affect essential public services and may involve additional public spending.

Elected members hold responsibility for oversight of council operations and expenditure, and the limited information provided has prompted questions about how that role can be effectively exercised.

Waste services placed under direct executive control

Under the interim arrangements, operational management of the waste service will report directly to the Interim Chief Executive, supported by agency staff.

External oversight from the Strategic Investment Board will assist in reviewing the waste service model and identifying any additional costs associated with delivery.

In the email, councillors are advised to continue reporting missed collections and service issues through the Council’s existing helpdesk, with the Council stating that waste services are continuing as normal.

Ratepayers left seeking clarity

For ratepayers across Mid and East Antrim, the key concern is whether the latest management changes will lead to improved service delivery — and at what cost.

With no confirmation that the changes will have no financial impact, and no detail provided on the cost of terminating contracts or appointing interim support, the situation has left residents seeking reassurance over value for money and governance at the Council.

At the time of writing, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has not released any further information on the financial implications of the changes.