Brighton and Hove council confirms new chief executive (From The Argus)
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Brighton and Hove council confirms new chief executive
11:32am Thursday 4th October 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter
Brighton and Hove council confirms new chief executive
Brighton and Hove City Council has announced its new chief executive.
Penny Thompson has been selected as the preferred candidate to succeed John Barradell in the top job.
She was selected by a cross-party panel of councillors following a two-day interview process ahead of two others.
Ms Thompson said: “I am delighted to have been offered the job of chief executive.
"Brighton and Hove is a truly wonderful city with huge potential for the future and the city council has an important role to play in ensuring it remains a place where people want to live, work and visit.
"I look forward to working with staff, partners and elected members of all political parties to help the city fulfil its potential.”
Ms Thompson was the head of the General Care Social Council, which closed last month.
She was formerly chief executive of Hackney Borough Council and a consultant to local authorities, Government non departmental public bodies and the NHS.
Ms Thompson was awarded the CBE for services to social care in 2012.
She will succeed Mr Barradell who has taken up a similar role at the City of London Corporation.
Her appointment needs to be ratified at a meeting of full council later this month.
A council spokeswoman said: "The unanimous endorsement of the panel is that Penny Thompson is recommended for the appointment of chief executive.”
Comments(43)
pperrin
says...
11:49am Thu 4 Oct 12
Is he bailing before it delivers? or will Ms Thompson be taking up those reins and delivering the huge savings promised, and for which barradell was hansomely rewarded.. .in advance...
F in L
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11:51am Thu 4 Oct 12
Hackney Council's accounts for the last financial year show that the senior officer took home a massive pay-out, which could include redundancy payments, expenses and other allowances.
A council spokesman refused to identify the officer, saying: "The council is not able to disclose details of payments to individuals as these are confidential".
When pressed by the Gazette, he said: "I am not prepared to say anything more.
"You can spin it any way you like."
Penny Thompson, who was the council's chief executive for the first month of the year the numbers cover, received a salary of £164,839.
Penny Thompson......
She suddenly announced her retirement in April 2008 from after two-and-a-half years in the post as Chief of Hackney Council...
The accounts show that an officer received a payment of between £230,000 and £239,000.
Borough solicitor, Meic Sullivan Gould, quit his job the week before Ms Thompson stepped down and Hackney Homes chief executive, Steve Tucker, also retired during the period covered by the report.
It is believed that the council's current chief executive, Tim Shields, earns between £160,000 and £169,000 a year.
Matthew Waterfall, branch secretary of Unison, the trade union which represents council workers, said: "It is shocking to think that a single council officer should receive such a massive pay-out when our members, some of whom earn less than 12 grand a year, have been taking industrial action to secure a decent living pay rise.
"Taxpayers in this borough should be asking some serious questions of their council about how their money is being spent."
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the public spending watchdog, the Taxpayers' Alliance, added that it was a staggering amount to give someone in one year, especially as many Hackney families are struggling to pay their council tax.
"Whether it's a basic salary, a bonus or a severance payment, it's utterly wrong to lavish so much money on one public servant.
"The council should name who it is, so taxpayers can assess whether they gave good value for money."
.........At the time of going to press the council had been unable to tell the Gazette what other perks council officers were receiving and explain why more than.......
£10 million in council housing rent arrears was written off.
rolivan
says...
12:00pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Penny Thompson, Former chief executive, Hackney, £310,000-£320,000 (includes £160,000 severance package)
The highest bill in London for a single member of staff was paid by Hackney council. Ms Thompson is thought to have received the lump sum when she resigned after two and a half years in the post.
She was credited with stabilising the council, and services under her control were praised for taking fast action when officers found a girl who was being tortured and accused of "witchcraft". Hackney confirmed her basic salary was £160,000 to £169,000 but refused to comment about her pay-off, despite confirmation by a senior source. She left the job last year.
When She was interviewed for the Position I hope She had a good answer as to why She cannot hold down a job,or is it too much to ask?
Martha Gunn
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12:03pm Thu 4 Oct 12
gusset snatcher
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12:18pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Lady Smith
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12:43pm Thu 4 Oct 12
gusset snatcher wrote:Would that be the same Mike Holland who generates alot of publicity for himself by buying up buildings and businesses to 'save' them (Astoria, Engineerium, New Insight, et al), and then either bails out; fails to deliver or closes them down? Oh yes, our city would be safe in his hands...
I would rather see someone like Mike Holland in charge of a council with an £800 million budget, not a sour-faced back scratcher who'll be off in less than two years with another nice fat bank account
saveHOVE
says...
12:49pm Thu 4 Oct 12
brightonyorkie wrote:The last one was not 'invisible'. In fact he was the first one I have met who actually wanted to talk to community representatives and chat with them - and I stress 'with'.
Sounds like a good appointment given her background. She managed to turn Social Services around in Sheffield which is no mean feat and she has previous experience as a Chief Exec. Hopefully will not be as invisible as the last one!
John Barradell was never aloof, patronising, superior or grand in his dealings with me.
The General Care Social Council is not my idea of a recommendation for her. It was a failure. They are going.
I suspect this lady was chosen as a sop to those who wanted Jenny Rowlands. She is instead of Jenny Rowlands.
saveHOVE
says...
12:49pm Thu 4 Oct 12
brightonyorkie wrote:The last one was not 'invisible'. In fact he was the first one I have met who actually wanted to talk to community representatives and chat with them - and I stress 'with'.
Sounds like a good appointment given her background. She managed to turn Social Services around in Sheffield which is no mean feat and she has previous experience as a Chief Exec. Hopefully will not be as invisible as the last one!
John Barradell was never aloof, patronising, superior or grand in his dealings with me.
The General Care Social Council is not my idea of a recommendation for her. It was a failure. They are going.
I suspect this lady was chosen as a sop to those who wanted Jenny Rowlands. She is instead of Jenny Rowlands.
Charismatic Andrew
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1:05pm Thu 4 Oct 12
"Trendsetters in the 60s, Silicon Beach in the 21st century – Brighton & Hove is a city that embraces innovation. Our aim is to continue the momentum. To achieve the goals we’ve set in delivering the services our residents want, we are committed to a greater and smarter use of technology. If you are a digitally savvy, forward-thinking leader, this is an excellent opportunity."
.......So........ is Penny Thompson "digitally savvy" I wonder? Or has this quality which seemed so vital at the time now been conveniently forgotten? I may be wrong of course, but her background doesn't suggest too much digital savvyness!!!
Unless of course a £30,000 recruitment campaign failed to deliver the type of candidates we were looking for...... which would be an abysmally shocking waste of taxpayers money....
fredflintstone1
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1:31pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Charismatic Andrew wrote:Seems an ideal choice as the leading apparatchik for comrade Kitcat & Co. A social worker with no obvious business experience. Just what the this vibrant city needs.
This was the job advert for the position (as part of the recruitment process that cost £30,000):
"Trendsetters in the 60s, Silicon Beach in the 21st century – Brighton & Hove is a city that embraces innovation. Our aim is to continue the momentum. To achieve the goals we’ve set in delivering the services our residents want, we are committed to a greater and smarter use of technology. If you are a digitally savvy, forward-thinking leader, this is an excellent opportunity."
.......So........ is Penny Thompson "digitally savvy" I wonder? Or has this quality which seemed so vital at the time now been conveniently forgotten? I may be wrong of course, but her background doesn't suggest too much digital savvyness!!!
Unless of course a £30,000 recruitment campaign failed to deliver the type of candidates we were looking for...... which would be an abysmally shocking waste of taxpayers money....
HJarrs
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1:46pm Thu 4 Oct 12
We have talked ourselves into a corner on salaries in the public sector, limiting the pool of potential on which to draw. The new Chief Executive could hardly fail to be paid several times more by even small companies in the private sector and there are a number of people employed at Falmer Stadium for example that will earn more in a couple of months for kicking round a bag of wind than for running a £700 million organisation.
I am expecting no miracles.
saveHOVE
says...
1:49pm Thu 4 Oct 12
fredflintstone1 wrote:Maybe they chose her BECAUSE of the 'social worker' aspect of her experience. Is she a qualified social worker?
Charismatic Andrew wrote: This was the job advert for the position (as part of the recruitment process that cost £30,000): "Trendsetters in the 60s, Silicon Beach in the 21st century – Brighton & Hove is a city that embraces innovation. Our aim is to continue the momentum. To achieve the goals we’ve set in delivering the services our residents want, we are committed to a greater and smarter use of technology. If you are a digitally savvy, forward-thinking leader, this is an excellent opportunity." .......So........ is Penny Thompson "digitally savvy" I wonder? Or has this quality which seemed so vital at the time now been conveniently forgotten? I may be wrong of course, but her background doesn't suggest too much digital savvyness!!! Unless of course a £30,000 recruitment campaign failed to deliver the type of candidates we were looking for...... which would be an abysmally shocking waste of taxpayers money....Seems an ideal choice as the leading apparatchik for comrade Kitcat & Co. A social worker with no obvious business experience. Just what the this vibrant city needs.
This city has an awfully big, ugly, underbelly of troubled, underclass, disturbed, etc. people, a huge drugs and alcohol addicted chunk of population too.
Maybe they chose her so they could begin to address that problem which is certainly holding back the city.
Hove Actually
says...
1:50pm Thu 4 Oct 12
gusset snatcher wrote:Ask is Wife of 25 years and their Disabled son if you want someone who takes off
I would rather see someone like Mike Holland in charge of a council with an £800 million budget, not a sour-faced back scratcher who'll be off in less than two years with another nice fat bank account
Lady Smith
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1:54pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Hove Actually wrote:Yes, that too...
gusset snatcher wrote:Ask is Wife of 25 years and their Disabled son if you want someone who takes off
I would rather see someone like Mike Holland in charge of a council with an £800 million budget, not a sour-faced back scratcher who'll be off in less than two years with another nice fat bank account
gusset snatcher
says...
2:59pm Thu 4 Oct 12
SGK2000
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3:11pm Thu 4 Oct 12
As for the gravy train of CEO's since BHCC was formed, how many have we had, how many saw it through to a 'proper' retirement and how much have WE paid out in golden handshakes to those who decide to up & leave?
saveHOVE
says...
3:16pm Thu 4 Oct 12
gusset snatcher wrote:An insider! Pray tell: how well do you know the proposed new CEO and what else can you tell us about her with any authority?
We need someone in charge who has common sense and understands long therm financial implications of business decisions. This woman knows nothing. Mike Holland is a respectable self made local businessman who know and understands Brighton, including the freeloaders the set up camp here. Show some respect and don't bring his wife and son into the equation....... twerp
saveHOVE
says...
3:18pm Thu 4 Oct 12
SGK2000 wrote:Four. Plus departing directors and pay-outs to them.
Yay, bring back twerpedness, not heard that term in years! As for the gravy train of CEO's since BHCC was formed, how many have we had, how many saw it through to a 'proper' retirement and how much have WE paid out in golden handshakes to those who decide to up & leave?
banargustrolls
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3:22pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Seriously..
Dealing with idiots
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3:50pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Mo.StGrumble
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4:07pm Thu 4 Oct 12
deanaprior
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4:36pm Thu 4 Oct 12
rolivan
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4:55pm Thu 4 Oct 12
banargustrolls wrote:Well someone said did say She had a good background.
Is that the best picture you've got Argus?
Seriously..
sbiscorrupt
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5:10pm Thu 4 Oct 12
deanaprior wrote:It's called 'graft'...
I don't understand how she can retire get severance pay and return to work again as a chief executive.
Or in other words, "Unscrupulous use of one's position to derive profit or advantages"...
ourcoalition
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6:11pm Thu 4 Oct 12
And I have to deal with the private/public/volun
tary sector every day, by the way!!!
Council Pound
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6:30pm Thu 4 Oct 12
ourcoalition wrote:My God the above commentor is the one and only "Yeah give it up for" UNISON AK
I will keep repeating this - Mike Holland or any other so-called "expert" from the private/business sector, would never apply for the CEO job - it don't pay enough, it don't have share options, there are no bonuses. And, whatever you do is wrong!!!
And I have to deal with the private/public/volun
tary sector every day, by the way!!!
Council Pound
says...
6:39pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Council Pound
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6:50pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Council Pound wrote:Also when it gets a bit close for this pair they get onto Jo Wadsworth who then closes comments. What a pair of Numtees!
Know this Brighton and Hove watch out for ourcoallition and Rabid as they are doing very well out of all BHCC issues, from their ivory's @ barts. However because they hide they always post as different names.
Council Pound
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6:55pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Falmer Wizard
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7:10pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Lady Smith
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7:24pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Mo.StGrumble wrote:****.
Thought that there were no males on the shortlist?
Morpheus
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7:53pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Morpheus
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7:53pm Thu 4 Oct 12
LenHolloway
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8:39pm Thu 4 Oct 12
saveHOVE wrote:Obviously you didn't work for him! The omly time he was spotted was having a fag at the back of Kings House. Jenny Rowlands would have made a good CE but i suspect this woman will make a better one. And bring on the City of Brighton!
brightonyorkie wrote: Sounds like a good appointment given her background. She managed to turn Social Services around in Sheffield which is no mean feat and she has previous experience as a Chief Exec. Hopefully will not be as invisible as the last one!The last one was not 'invisible'. In fact he was the first one I have met who actually wanted to talk to community representatives and chat with them - and I stress 'with'. John Barradell was never aloof, patronising, superior or grand in his dealings with me. The General Care Social Council is not my idea of a recommendation for her. It was a failure. They are going. I suspect this lady was chosen as a sop to those who wanted Jenny Rowlands. She is instead of Jenny Rowlands.
Gardenboy
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9:16pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Looks like a picture from Crimewatch!
Maxwell's Ghost
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12:00am Fri 5 Oct 12
Ooooh digital savvy. How rock and roll, cutting edge.I'm surprised Steve Jobs didn't jump out of his grave to apply.
Plain silly.
NickBrt
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8:10am Fri 5 Oct 12
saveHOVE
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9:41am Fri 5 Oct 12
LenHolloway wrote:He spent three hours one morning sitting in on a committee I sat on earlier this year, talking to us afterwards too.
saveHOVE wrote:Obviously you didn't work for him! The omly time he was spotted was having a fag at the back of Kings House. Jenny Rowlands would have made a good CE but i suspect this woman will make a better one. And bring on the City of Brighton!brightonyorkie wrote: Sounds like a good appointment given her background. She managed to turn Social Services around in Sheffield which is no mean feat and she has previous experience as a Chief Exec. Hopefully will not be as invisible as the last one!The last one was not 'invisible'. In fact he was the first one I have met who actually wanted to talk to community representatives and chat with them - and I stress 'with'. John Barradell was never aloof, patronising, superior or grand in his dealings with me. The General Care Social Council is not my idea of a recommendation for her. It was a failure. They are going. I suspect this lady was chosen as a sop to those who wanted Jenny Rowlands. She is instead of Jenny Rowlands.
On his way into and out of Council meetings, he was always stopping to say hello and chat with various of us involved in community work.
He made a point of walking round various parts of the city that had come to his attention to familiarise himself.
He presumably let the officers do their work and spent office time with his head down or talking with councillors. Is that why you never saw him, except when he went outside for a fag?
gusset snatcher
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10:41am Fri 5 Oct 12
Smartbloke
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11:39am Fri 5 Oct 12
Typical self-important Argus readers.
Lady Smith
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8:35pm Sat 6 Oct 12
Smartbloke wrote:The most sensible comment made thus far, by a country mile...
The less people know about something or someone, the more they think their comment is worth something.
Typical self-important Argus readers.
cappuccino Brighton
says...
9:50pm Tue 23 Oct 12
brightonyorkie says...
11:49am Thu 4 Oct 12