Peterborough City Council will be asked to appoint a new Monitoring Officer at next week’s Full Council meeting, with Gavin Milnthorpe, currently Monitoring Officer and Deputy Director of Legal and Governance at Havering Borough Council, proposed for the role of Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer.
The Director of Legal and Governance acts as the council’s principal legal adviser and, in a statutory capacity as Monitoring Officer, ensures that both officers and councillors act lawfully and uphold high standards of conduct and governance. Monitoring Officers have a legal duty to investigate and report on any actions that may be illegal or constitute maladministration, and they provide guidance to the council’s Chief Executive, Section 151 Officer, and other officials on legal, ethical, and procedural matters.
In addition to statutory oversight, the Monitoring Officer role includes responsibility for the council’s constitution, management of Legal, Elections, Information Governance, Complaints and Democratic Services teams, and advising on allegations of misconduct or breaches of ethical standards. While the statutory duties are set out under section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, Monitoring Officers often also oversee practical matters such as complaints handling, standards training and ensuring that council operations comply with codes of conduct.
If councillors approve the appointment, Gavin will take up the role from 13 April 2026. In the meantime, Satinder Sahota, the council’s Interim Head of Legal Services and Deputy Monitoring Officer, will serve as the interim Monitoring Officer until Gavin assumes the post. The current Acting Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer, Graham Kitchen, will leave the council on 25 January.
Gavin said:
“I’m delighted to be joining Peterborough City Council as Director of Legal and Governance. The council faces huge challenges in the next few years and I believe my background and experience will benefit the organisation as it looks to improve life across the city, both for its residents and businesses. I’m excited to get involved in many of those projects I have seen reported on in local media in recent times.”
With 17 years of experience in local government law, Gavin has held positions including Monitoring Officer, Deputy Monitoring Officer, and Head of Commercial and Property. At Havering, he also leads the management and strategic direction of the shared service One Source, which provides back-office support for Havering, Newham, and Bexley Councils.
Matthew Gladstone, Chief Executive of Peterborough City Council, said: “The role of Monitoring Officer is one of the most important for any council, supporting officers and councillors to navigate many complex areas of the law. I am delighted to recommend to councillors that we appoint Gavin and I look forward to working with him. I would also like to pay tribute to Graham Kitchen who has done a fantastic job leading our Legal and Governance services in the past three months.”
The appointment of a Monitoring Officer is a statutory requirement for all local authorities. Monitoring Officers are charged with ensuring legal compliance, maintaining ethical standards, and preventing maladministration. They are distinct from Section 151 Officers, who focus on financial management, but the two roles often collaborate closely to safeguard the council’s corporate governance. While there is currently no legal requirement for Monitoring Officers to hold formal legal qualifications, their role relies heavily on legal expertise and practical experience in governance.
Councillors are scheduled to confirm the appointment at the Full Council meeting on Wednesday 21 January 2026, following agreement from the council’s Employment Committee on 15 December.
