Council’s New Chief Executive Takes Up Position
Wrexham County Borough Council’s new chief executive, Dr Helen Paterson, has taken up her position in Wrexham.
Dr Paterson joins Wrexham Council from Sunderland City Council where she was Strategic Director of Transformation leading the Council’s efficiency and improvement programme.
Previously she has been a head teacher in Hampshire, Director of School Improvement, Performance and Partnership at Solihull and Executive Director of Children’s Services in Sunderland.
She has been a JP since 1993 and is a member of a wide range of national and regional groups.
A person in the chief executive role is the council’s most senior officer, who leads and takes responsibility for the work of the paid staff of the council, however the post is non-political.
Prior to her stepping down from the role, there was controversy last year when previous chief executive, Isobel Garner, was offered a pay rise of 1.4% to £109,000 at a time when the council had said it was looking to cut its budget by £7 million.
Wrexham Council Leader, Cllr Ron Davies, said:
“We are very pleased to welcome Helen on board particularly during a time when there is a huge transformation taking place within Local Government.
“Her previous experience and expertise in this field will undoubtedly be of huge benefit to Wrexham and I look forward to working with her in the coming months.”
Dr Paterson said:
“I am thrilled to join Wrexham Council and I will be meeting with many staff and councillors in the coming days and weeks.
“Together we will establish how we move the council forward and in these challenging times we will seek opportunities to improve and change the way services are provided to local people.”
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