Huge change needed at council, says new chief executive

Sajeeda Rose was confirmed as Nottingham City Council's chief executive on Monday

The new chief executive of Nottingham City Council says "huge change" is needed at the authority.

Sajeeda Rose has taken over at a time of intense financial pressure after the authority declared itself effectively bankrupt last year.

"I don't underestimate the scale of the challenge and, as a council, we've not hidden the scale of the challenge," she said.

Mrs Rose was confirmed as chief executive at a meeting on Monday evening.

She was previously the council's corporate director for growth and city development, a post she held since September 2021.

She has taken over from Mel Barrett, who announced in May he would be leaving after almost four years in the role to take up a new job as chief executive of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing.

It marks a changing of the guard at the council, which also appointed a new leader earlier this year.

Mrs Rose takes over at a challenging time for the city council

The council issued a section 114 notice last November, warning it would not be able to balance its books for the financial year.

It has since approved wide-ranging cuts, including hundreds of job losses and cuts to social care and youth services.

The Labour-run authority blamed a reduction in funding from central government, rising demand for services and high inflation.

Speaking to the BBC, Mrs Rose said the council would have to do less in the future.

"We'll need to review what we deliver, how we deliver, and where we deliver that," she said.

"We're not going to be able to drive significant savings without stopping doing some of what we currently do."

The previous government appointed commissioners to help run the council in February.

Council documents state the commissioners have "actively participated" in the recruitment process for the new chief executive and "are pleased to support this outcome".

The documents also show the chief executive will be paid £191,000 per year.

Mrs Rose said the salary was set nationally but added it was an "appropriate salary for a chief executive of a local authority with the responsibilities that go with that role".

Council leader Neghat Khan welcomed Mrs Rose's appointment

Council leader Neghat Khan welcomed the appointment.

"Sajeeda has a wealth of experience in leading change and transformation at the council as well as in other organisations in the East Midlands," she said.

"Our council faces significant challenges, but I am confident that Sajeeda’s knowledge, expertise and experience will help us to continue to move forward on our improvement journey."

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