New council chief told to save £1m from top team

Andrew Crookham will take over from Debbie Barnes in the spring

The newly appointed chief executive of Lincolnshire County Council has been tasked with cutting costs from the top team.

Andrew Crookham, the current deputy chief, will take over when Debbie Barnes retires next spring after nearly 20 years with the council.

His appointment to the role, which commands a starting salary of more than £204,000, was confirmed unanimously at a full council meeting earlier.

"I have tasked him with one job so far – saving £1m from the senior leadership team," council leader Sean Matthews said.

Speaking after the meeting, Matthews added: "It's up to him how he comes to the figure.

"When we're talking about the sort of money these people are on, it's not particularly difficult to come to a saving of £1m."

Mr Crookham will become the highest-paid public servant in the county, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Addressing the salary during the meeting, Matthews said: "It's a staggering amount of money, but that's the marketplace we're in.

"We could have got someone on £50,000, but they wouldn't have been any good. We need someone with the ability and approach [Debbie Barnes] has."

Labour councillor Karen Lee said Ms Barnes was "worth every penny".

Matthews described Mr Crookham as "the ideal candidate" who would offer continuity with Ms Barnes.

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