by political editor Paul Francis

Mystery surrounds the unexpected absence of one of Kent County Council’s most senior officers from her job.

Kent County Council has refused to comment on the reasons why Lynda McMullan, the authority’s finance director, is away from her desk amid rumours that she is on gardening leave.

The authority would neither confirm nor deny that she was leaving.

However, it is understood that some staff and county councillors have been told that she will not be at work until further notice and is likely to be absent for at least two months.

Ms McMullan’s absence has come as a surprise at County Hall, with sources saying it had come as a bolt out of the blue.

It has happened at a sensitive time for the authority which is bracing itself for draconian budget cuts and is in the process of consulting on a major re-organisation of directorates, which is expected to lead to fewer senior managers.

It is expected to announce within weeks its initial plans to plug a black hole of £340m.

Ms McMullan, who heads a directorate of 460-staff draws together the authority’s spending plans each year and monitors the council’s budgets, became finance director in April 2006 after three years as county finance manager.

She is part of the authority’s nine-strong corporate management team. She previously worked for eight years in London with Hammersmith and Fulham and Southwark councils and spent another six years working for Nottingham City Council.

In her absence, her job is being covered by Andy Wood, the council’s head of financial management. He will also act as the authority’s Section 151 officer - a statutory role that ensures councils are making lawful payments and complying with financial procedures.