Rotherham Council director is set to retire after five years in her position

Ms Roche, who took up the post of of director of public health at Rotherham Council in June 2015, will retire at the end of October 2020, and the council is due to advertise for a replacement.

Ms Roche, who started her career in nursing at the Norfolk and Norwich moved into public health at East Surrey Health Authority in 1995, before moving to Rotherham Primary Care Trust in 1998.

Ms Roche qualified as a public health consultant, and was appointed public health consultant with Lincolnshire NHS in 2010, becoming assistant director of public health with Lincolnshire County Council in 2013, before returning to Rotherham to take up her current position.

At a meeting of Rotherham Council's staffing committee, councillors agreed to begin formal arrangements to fill the post on a permanent basis.

The current package for the director of public health post is currently £100,825, consisting of £87,791 Assistant Director salary and a market supplement of £13,034.

Consultation has already taken place with the chief executive and leader of the council.

A report to the committee states: "During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the director of public health is an essential role within the local authority and has a statutory duty to seek assurance around the steps in place to protect the health of the population.

"Therefore, it is imperative that a high calibre permanent replacement is sourced and begins employment with the council as soon as practicable."

Sharon Kemp, chief executive of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council said during the meeting: "This role, because of its statutory nature requires the engagement of Public Health England, both to review the job description and also to participate in the recruitment and selection with the member panel.

"There is a procedure with the Department for Health and Social Care to actually validate the appointment that is made to director of public health.

"It's an assistant director salary plus a marketing supplement based on qualifications and experience, and we do that in line with Public Health England, and their advice and guidance."

Editor's message: Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues. The Star is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions for unlimited access to Sheffield news and information online. Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.