New top team at North Norfolk District Council

Following the announcement of the early retirement of Chief Executive Philip Burton, the first stage of restructuring the senior management team at North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) was completed with the approval of the appointment of Sheila Oxtoby as successor Chief Executive at a special meeting of the Full Council last night (Wednesday 11 January). Mrs. Oxtoby, who has been the council’s Deputy Chief Executive since 2008 will take up her new duties from the end of this month.

The restructure, which sees the former Corporate Management Team reduced from five to three members and renamed the Corporate Leadership Team, is aimed at making the Council’s strategic leadership better able to meet future challenges and implement the Conservative administration’s recently announced corporate plan for 2012-2015. Following interviews last week, the appointments of Steve Blatch and Nick Baker as the two other members of the top team were also approved at last night’s meeting.

The formation of a new Corporate Leadership Team is the first phase of a complete overhaul of the NNCD senior management structure, aimed at making it more efficient while at the same time making significant savings. The Senior Management level will now be reviewed and potentially streamlined in accordance with current and future Council objectives. This exercise will be completed by the end of March and implemented between April and July.

NNDC Leader, Helen Eales, said, “I am delighted with the appointments of Sheila, Steve and Nick. I am confident that we have selected an experienced and highly competent Corporate Leadership Team to take our plans forward. They will not have an easy task as it is quite clear that we have a number of difficult years ahead of us, but I know that they, and every other member of NNDC staff and elected Members will be working very hard together to ensure that we continue to do all we can for the benefit of everyone in North Norfolk.”

NNDC’s new Chief Executive designate, Sheila Oxtoby, said, “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed as the next Chief Executive of North Norfolk District Council. It is a great honour and privilege to be given this responsibility, and one that I shall relish. I have a great team to work with me and I am looking forward to us leading a very dedicated and able workforce. I know that the Council has many challenges ahead and I am committed to working with Members and staff in driving forward change whilst continuing to work hard in achieving the best possible outcomes for the people of North Norfolk.”

• Sheila Oxtoby, 42, was born and educated in York before gaining a degree in Geography and Economic History at Lancaster University. She started her career in local government at Selby District Council in North Yorkshire as a trainee accountant in 1990, qualifying in 1994, then moved to North Norfolk District Council in 1997 as Chief Accountant. Since then she has held the positions of Head of Financial Services, Strategic Director Resources and, from 2008, Deputy Chief Executive, covering a range of service responsibilities including finance, revenues and benefits, property, localism and organisational development.

• Nick Baker, 47, was born and educated in Lowestoft and qualified as an Environmental Health Officer in 1986 following graduation at Leeds. He worked at Waveney District Council for a total of ten years, interspersed with a four year period in New Zealand, then at Wychavon District Council in Worcestershire for two years, before coming to North Norfolk District Council as Head of Environmental Health in 2002. He became a Strategic Director in the former Corporate Management Team in 2006 and has since managed Waste and Environmental Services, Planning and Building Control and Cultural Services.

• Steve Blatch, 42, was born and educated in Norfolk, obtaining a Geography degree at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic. He worked as Assistant Economic Development Officer at Selby District Council in North Yorkshire for five years, qualifying as a planner at Leeds Metropolitan University during that time. He joined North Norfolk District Council as Economic Development Manager in May 1995 undertaking a variety of roles in planning and regeneration, economic development and EU/Government funding and housing before being appointed as a Strategic Director in the former Corporate Management Team in April 2006.

ENDS