New Managing Director to take a more 'hands-on' role at Waverley (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

New Managing Director to take a more 'hands-on' role at Waverley

March 29, 2007 5:25 PM

The Liberal Democrats welcomed the decision to appoint a new Managing Director as excellent news for the council taxpayers of Waverley. This appointment was confirmed by councillors at a meeting of the Council on Wednesday evening, 28th March.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats at Waverley, Gillian Ferguson said "It is very important that everyone recognises that this is a new position. As well as heading up the organisation the Managing Director will take a more 'hands-on' role at Waverley with specific operational responsibilities."

Against severe opposition from the Conservative Group at Waverley the Liberal Democrats set out, more than a year ago, to streamline the organisation to provide better value for money for residents. A key component of the Liberal Democrat strategy was to reduce the top management structure from five to four directors.

During the last year these four directors have run Waverley very ably and delivered against the Liberal Democrat agenda to allow a real reduction in council tax this year. Against the recommendation of the Liberal Democrat Executive to appoint internally, the process of choosing a permanent Managing Director to deliver further efficiency savings was put back several months when the December Council meeting decided that the position should be advertised externally.

Although the financial benefits that would have accrued to Waverley's residents have been delayed by that decision the Liberal Democrats were determined that the person appointed in open competition should deliver on their value for money agenda.

Speaking after Wednesday night's council meeting Stewart Edge, the Liberal Democrat responsible for personnel matters said, "Over the last four years the Liberal Democrat administration has created a climate at Waverley which attracted an extremely strong list of candidates for the role of Managing Director. The new appointee has the enthusiasm, commitment and ability to lead the Council in making positive and effective changes for the benefit of Waverley residents. A priority for the Managing Director will be to decide on the top management team needed to deliver the overall benefits envisaged from the reorganisation; with low council tax and high quality services for Waverley's residents."