'Challenging times' for new chief executive

Terence Herbert began his new role at Surrey County Council on Monday

A new county council chief executive has said "important work lies ahead" amidst "challenging times for local government".

Terence Herbert started at Surrey County Council on Monday after leaving his job at Wiltshire Council.

He began his career as a registered mental nurse and then qualified as a social worker.

Mr Herbert said he was "delighted" to have joined Surrey and that it was "great to be getting started".

He said: "We are well equipped to deal with those challenges and build upon much of the great work the authority has done to date."

Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, said: “Terence has had a long and distinguished career in local government, and I have no doubt he is the right person to lead us through our next phase of improved delivery of the vital services that our residents depend upon.

“Having spent much of his earlier career in children’s services and mental health, I also know that he is passionate about delivering quality services for those most vulnerable residents across our communities and will embrace our ambition that no one in Surrey is left behind.”

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