A successor appears to have been found for the most powerful non-elected role at Cheshire West and Chester Council .
Gerald Meehan has received the support of the staffing committee to become the council’s new chief executive.
This follows the announcement Steve Robinson will leave in June after eight years in the position.
Mr Meehan, who is currently the strategic director of children’s services, said it was a ‘privilege’ to be recommended.
He said: “I will do everything I can to ensure the council lives up to the high expectations our residents rightly have of us.
“I will build on the great foundations laid by Steve Robinson , the leadership team and the wider council.
“I intend to further strengthen our joint working with our partners in the public and charitable sector to both improve the quality of the services we deliver and to further reduce costs.
“My priority will be to focus on the outcomes we need to achieve for the people of Cheshire West and Chester.”
The recommendation will be voted on by members at full council, who will take the final decision on May 19.
Labour council leader Samantha Dixon said a ‘wealth of talent from within our own ranks’ interviewed for the top role.
She said: “I warmly welcome the proposed appointment of Gerald as Steve Robinson’s successor.
“We are very fortunate to have interviewed such a wealth of talent from within our own ranks.
“Gerald has demonstrated his suitability for this important leadership role and I believe his experience makes him an exceptional choice to take the council forward in the next stage of its journey.
“The authority has a budgeted four-year plan with clear objectives we want to deliver.
“Gerald brings an excellent set of achievements and some much-needed stability in an ever-changing environment.”
Mr Robinson announced earlier this year that he was to stand down following 41 years of local government service.
Conservative opposition leader Mike Jones said: “I congratulate Gerald on his proposed appointment.
“He has demonstrated a very strong track record within the council, having created a children’s service which is one of the best in the country.
“Having worked across both Halton and Cheshire West and Chester councils, he has a wide range of experience and brings a whole-council approach.
“We look forward to working with him to build on the tremendous success of the last eight years, from creating a new council to being recognised as the Best Achieving Council in 2015.”
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