Sheffield Council boss Kate Josephs to remain in job despite lockdown bash

Sheffield Council’s chief executive will return to work after being on paid leave for admitting attending a party while the country was in lockdown.

In January, Kate Josephs apologised after admitting to attending a lockdown leaving drinks party for her previous job in the cabinet office in December 2020 when London was under the highest COVID restrictions.

Ms Josephs - whose salary is just under £200,000 - has been on paid leave since mid-January while an investigation took place.

An investigation by the cross-party committee concluded on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, the committee said the council boss had received a written warning, but confirmed she would return to work.

It said: "Kate Josephs has decided to publicly share that she received a written warning from the committee.  Kate will now be resuming her full duties as Chief Executive."

"The decision was made based on the facts at hand and with very careful consideration. The committee acknowledges that Kate has apologised and believes that she feels genuine remorse."

In May, Ms Josephs apologised "unequivocally" for the gathering and said: "I am truly sorry I did this and the anger that people feel as a result."

Following the outcome, she again apologised for her actions.

She said, "I have made mistakes for which I am deeply sorry. I intend to learn from these mistakes and continue to work hard to be the very best chief executive I can be for our city."

Leader of Sheffield City Council, Cllr Terry Fox said he was disappointed by Ms Josephs' actions, but said the focus is on rebuilding relationships across the city.

"I’ve repeatedly said that I share the anger and upset felt by some Sheffielders about the choices Kate has made. But I am here to deliver for Sheffield, and that is what matters the most to me now."

"The Chief Executive’s work to rebuild trust across the city and organisation begins now. Kate and I will also need to rebuild our relationship, and I do believe we are both committed to doing that."

It is understood that Ms Josephs, who was director general of the government's Covid Taskforce, has already been fined £50 over the party at the Cabinet Office in December 2020.

Full details of the get-together in honour of Kate Josephs were revealed in the long-awaited report by the senior civil servant Sue Gray into parties held at Westminster during the pandemic.