Here come the girls

CAROLYN WILKINS

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Council appoints new all-woman management team


GIRL power is coming to Oldham Council with the introduction of a new all-woman management team which will cut £200,000 from the wage bill.

The four new roles will replace the five existing directorates of strategy and resources, environmental services, regeneration, adult and community services and children, young people and families.

Veronica Jackson, current executive director for adult and community services, will now be in charge of people, communities and society.

Elaine McLean, who joins Oldham from Stockport Council, will be executive director for the new economy, places and skills portfolio.

And the new executive director for performance, capacity and services will be Emma Alexander — current corporate director for customer and corporate services at Trafford Council.

Carolyn Wilkins will be brought in to fill the new post of assistant chief executive. She will be responsible for corporate policy, external partnerships, communications and marketing.

Carolyn joins Oldham from Rossendale District Council where she has been chief executive for the past two-and-a-half years.

Tom Flanagan, currently in charge of regeneration, has secured a new post in Cornwall. The newcomers are expected to be in place by April, 2009.

The council’s existing senior management team has six posts — five executive directors and a deputy chief executive, while the new slimmed-down structure has four — three executive directors and an assistant chief executive.

Discussions are continuing with existing executive directors regarding their futures. Salaries for the new posts are anticipated to be between £130,000 and £140,000 a year.

Council leader Howard Sykes said: “I thank our five existing executive directors for the contribution they have made to the work of the council.

“We are now entering an exciting new era.

“I am delighted with the calibre of people we have been able to attract to join us.”

Chief executive Charlie Parker said: “We have an ambitious programme to make sure Oldham Council is up there with the best local authorities in the country. The new management team will enable us to build on our existing strengths, provide stronger, more coherent leadership and really focus our minds on delivering better services targeted to the needs of our customers.

“This will help to make Oldham an even more attractive place to live, work and bring up a family.”