Christchurch City Council’s chief finance boss quits

The Christchurch City Council’s Chief Finance Officer has resigned, the same week it was announced the CEO quit the organisation.

In a statement sent out on Friday morning from Acting Chief Executive Mary Richardson she said “today I announce that Leah Scales has resigned from her role as GM Resources/CFO. 

Scales' resignation comes on the same day as a damning report into the council's Three Water department was made public by the Christchurch Press.

The review by KPMG found $6.5m had been spent on staffing roles over the allocated budget since 2019.

Richardson said “due to personal reasons, Leah has requested not to work her notice period, and therefore she will not return from her sick leave.”

“I would like to thank Leah for her contributions over the last 2 1/2 years at Council as the CFO and the last 20 months as GM Resources.  We wish her well for her future endeavours. 

There will be no further comment from the Council or Leah Scales.”