Dudley Council’s chief executive has revealed that the HS2 rail project is intensifying recruitment challenges for key council officers. During a January 26 meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, members discussed a £1.2 million overspend within the Core Business Group’s resources and financial strategy department.
The overspend was primarily attributed to staffing pressures in the revenue and benefits team alongside the council’s reliance on expensive interim staff for specialist financial roles. Cllr Steve Clark, Dudley’s cabinet member for resources, acknowledged the council’s reliance on interim staff ‘more than we should’ and emphasized plans to recruit permanent accountants following recommendations from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
“Interims are a short term fix,” Cllr Clark stated. “The CIPFA review ensures our structures are fit for purpose, which is vital to making the council an attractive place for permanent, high-caliber professionals to build their careers. Interim staff costs are too high for us in the long run.”
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Addressing future budget plans, Cllr Pete Lowe inquired whether significant cuts to temporary staffing expenses were anticipated. Balvinder Heran, Dudley Council’s chief executive, highlighted the council’s efforts to develop internal talent for roles such as social care and solicitors. However, she pointed out the intense competition for specialist roles like building and quantity surveyors.
“Major projects like HS2 have created heightened demand for these skills,” Ms. Heran said. “All councils in the West Midlands face challenges attracting and retaining such professionals. The market is extremely tight, so we need to explore innovative approaches.”
Despite presenting a balanced budget for the 2026/27 financial year, Cllr Clark warned of predicted funding gaps in subsequent years. He stressed the council must maintain stringent control over costs and firmly move towards a stable, permanent workforce with reduced reliance on interim contracts.