Allison Griffin has this week become the permanent Chief Executive at Sedgemoor District Council.
At a meeting on Thursday (December 21st), Sedgemoor District Council’s Full Council voted unanimously that the post of Interim Chief Executive should be made into a permanent position.
To that end, Allison Griffin will become the authority’s Chief Executive as from 1st January, 2018.
The appointment comes after Kerry Rickards, former chief executive of SDC announced his retirement in June after working at the council for 17 years. Since then, Allison had held the role on an interim basis.
Cllr Duncan McGinty, leader of SDC, paid tribute to Mr Rickards. “Sedgemoor has blossomed under Kerry’s leadership and Sedgemoor has firmly been put on the map, not only regionally, nationally and internationally,” he said.
“He was never fazed at any disaster that came Sedgemoor’s way – and there have been many over the past 17 years. He has overseen the downsizing of the organisation whilst maintaining services to Sedgemoor residents. He was the longest service Chief Executive amongst Somerset local authorities and we are sad to see him go, but wish him a long and happy retirement.”
The new Chief Executive, Allison Griffin, is the Head of the paid service and is ultimately responsible for all staff. She is the principal advisor for the Council as a corporate body as well as providing assistance and advice for individual Councillors.
A major role of the Chief Executive is to ensure Senior Managers address new strategies and changes in the law where these are corporate issues.
The Chief Executive has responsibilities across Communications, Political Structures, Member/Officer interface, Leader of Council’s Liaison Group, Somerset Chief Executive Group, Corporate Governance, Performance Management and Health and Safety.
Pictured (l-r) Chairman of Council – Councillor Mike Cresswell; Chief Executive – Allison Griffin and Leader of Sedgemoor District Council – Councillor Duncan McGinty
