New Chief Executive for Durham County
Being Chief Executive of a county council, even one of the biggest new authorities in the UK, may not be a very glamorous job - but it is a very important one. That’s why yesterday’s appointment was crucial in the progress from the old Durham county and district councils to the new unitary council.
The shape of the new council should be set by its political masters. It’s effectiveness may be down to the way in which the Chief Executive manages the staff into an effective team to carry out the council’s policies.
Of all the processes since my election two and a half months ago, this has been the most transparent and apolitical. Two Liberal Democrats were included in the selection panel, and the words of Lib Dem leader Nigel Martin tell their own story:
” This morning (yesterday) there was a meeting of the full County Council to appoint a new Chief Executive. He is George Garlick, currently Chief Executive of Stockton Borough Council.
The reason I am writing about this is reassure those who worry about these things that the appointment process was very rigorous and robust. A large number of very good candidates applied for what will be one of the top jobs in local government.
The final short list was top class and was put through a tough two and a half day selection process involving the leading members of all the political groups at all stages.
I am confident that we now have a top notch Chief Executive who can lead the Council through what will undoubtedly be a tough period while the new unitary gets going.”
I’m sure all readers of this website wish George Garlick every success in delivering a first class service to the people of the county.
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