Cheshire East Council set to confirm new chief executive

Rob Polkinghorne is set to be formally appointed as Cheshire East Council's new chief executive on 13 December

The new chief executive of Cheshire East Council (CEC) is set to be appointed later this month.

Rob Polkinghorne has been announced as the preferred candidate, and the appointment will be formally signed off on 13 December.

Mr Polkinghorne's selection followed a rigorous selection process, the council said.

He previously headed up Southend-on-Sea City Council, a role he stepped down from in July.

While the council has not confirmed the salary of the new chief executive, which was previously the subject of a row between councillors at the authority, it is understood to be between £170-£190,000 per year.

'Decision not taken lightly'

CEC's previous chief executive Lorraine O'Donnell left in October to take up a role heading up Bradford Council.

Since her departure, David Parr has been acting chief executive, on a rate of £1,200 per day.

Councillor Fiona Wilson, chair of the council's appointments committee, said: "The recommendation of a preferred candidate for the role of chief executive is one of the most important functions of the appointments committee - and identifying the best candidate for Cheshire East was not a decision taken lightly.

Mr Polkinghorne began his career in local government in 1996, and has worked in unitary, county, borough and district councils, covering both urban and rural areas.

He has also held leadership roles in the fire and rescue service and NHS before securing the post of chief operating officer at Aberdeen City Council and then later chief executive at Southend-on-Sea City Council.