Norfolk County Council voted 46 to zero at its July meeting to appoint Katrina Hulatt as interim Head of Paid Service, providing stability while a permanent Chief Executive is recruited. Caroline Clarke was simultaneously appointed as Interim Monitoring Officer.

The council agreed to establish a formal Appointments Panel drawn from the Employment Committee to lead the permanent recruitment process, with the final decision reserved for Full Council.

The departure of the previous Chief Executive prompted sharp questions from opposition members. Cllr Kay Mason Billig noted the role was now being advertised at a higher salary than before, and asked why Norfolk taxpayers were being asked to pay more. The Cabinet Member for Strategy said the council would recruit the best candidate, but gave no further detail on the salary level.

Cllr Daniel Elmer also pressed the Leader to explain the reasons for the departure and whether a severance package had been agreed. The Leader said the matter would be reported to council in due course, declining to give details at the meeting.

The previous Chief Executive had publicly supported Local Government Reorganisation — a policy the new Reform-led administration has strongly resisted. The Leader took over in May 2026 following a change in political control.

Thirty-two councillors abstained on the appointments vote, reflecting the sensitivity of the issue, though no councillors voted against.