FOI request (FOIR-712456498)

Vacated Senior Positions at Hastings Borough Council

Requested Wed 07 May 2025
Responded Tue 13 May 2025

I am writing under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request the following information:

1. Please confirm whether the following individuals have vacated their positions at Hastings Borough Council:

a. Jane Hartnell, Managing Director

b. Mary Kilner, Chief Legal Officer

c. Mike Hepworth, Assistant Director, Environment and Place

d. Andrew Palmer, Assistant Director, Housing and Built Environment

2. For each individual listed above, please provide:

a. The official date on which they vacated their post.

b. Whether the departure was voluntary, part of a restructure, retirement, or any form of disciplinary or legal matter.

c. Any publicly available statements or communications issued by the council relating to their departure.

d. Details of any severance or settlement agreements, including whether a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) was used.

Given the number and seniority of these officers, I believe this information is clearly in the public interest and necessary for ensuring transparency in public office.

If any part of this request is exempt under the Act, please provide an explanation for the exemption used and confirm which parts of the request can be fulfilled.

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Response

The majority of this request is exempt information under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information 'personal data'. This is a qualified exemption, therefore a public interest test does not apply.

Hastings Borough Council can release the following information that falls outside Section 40(2).

Jane Hartnell - left 31/10/24

Mary Kilner - still employed

Mike Hepworth - left 05/04/22

Andrew Palmer - left 12/04/23

Hastings Borough Council issued a press statement in respect of Jane Hartnell:

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/news/latest/chief-exec-update/