Council executive lines up new post

A SENIOR Oldham executive director is leaving after five years to take up a post in Cornwall.

Tom Flanagan is currently one of five executive directors and takes care of regeneration.

But from the spring he will be corporate director for environment, planning and the economy for Cornwall Council.

Mr Flanagan and his four Oldham executive director colleagues all faced competing for three jobs, after Oldham’s new chief executive Charlie Parker decided to slim down the senior management.

Mr Flanagan has also been Oldham’s lead officer on the Greater Manchester Transport Innovation Fund proposals and the plans to bring Metrolink into the heart of Oldham town centre.

He said: “I am sorry to be leaving Oldham at this time when so many exciting things are happening.

“I am very proud of our achievements in recent years that have started to change the face of Oldham and present opportunities for further growth and investment.

“The planned arrival of Metrolink, University Centre Oldham and the strengthening of our district centres are just some of the initiatives which illustrate the exciting times ahead.” Mr Flanagan is the second senior officer to leave — the director of legal and democratic services, Aileen Johnson, will also step down at the end of January.

Shortlisting for the three new roles is taking place this week.

The three new directors will be responsible for triple themes: people, communities and society; economy, places and skills; and performance, capacity and services.

They replace strategy and resources, currently held by Liz Terry; environmental services, John Hurst; regeneration, Tom Flanagan; adult and community services, Veronica Jackson, and children, young people and families, Janet Donaldson.