KATH O’Dwyer has been thanked for ‘getting Cheshire East Council to where it is now’ ahead of a move to her hometown.

CEC’s acting chief executive had been selected by the staffing committee as the preferred candidate to get the job permanently – and she was due to be voted in at full council on Thursday.

But following a successful interview last Tuesday, she was voted in by St Helens Council members as their chief executive on Monday night, a role she will take up next spring.

An update will be given at Thursday’s full council meeting before a special meeting of the staffing committee, where members will discuss the next steps in the appointment process away from the press and public.

Ms O’Dwyer said: “The role of chief executive at St Helens Council is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the borough I am proud to call my home.

Northwich Guardian:

“I have lived in St Helens for most of my life and look forward to working with the elected members, staff and partners in leading the council on its improvement journey and realising its ambitions for the residents of the borough.

“I will be sorry to leave CEC and truly believe that both the borough and the council have all the ingredients to fly and I am proud to have been part of the journey so far.

“It will be hard to leave behind the truly fabulous workforce and supportive and engaged partners I have worked with over the last few years, and I would like to thank councillors, staff and partners at CEC for their support over the last few years and wish them well for the future.”

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Ms O’Dwyer was appointed as acting chief executive at CEC in April 2017 when Mike Suarez was suspended from the role while the council investigated his conduct.

CEC insisted the move was a ‘neutral act’, but Mr Suarez resigned from his post in July 2018, and Ms O’Dwyer has continued as acting chief executive ever since.

Cllr Sam Corcoran, CEC leader, said: “CEC has changed significantly and for the better since Kath took on the role of acting chief executive in April 2017.

Northwich Guardian:

“Kath has risen to the challenges and taken the difficult decisions where necessary. I thank Kath for getting CEC to the position where it is now, where I firmly believe that the council is on the up and has a platform from which it can fly.

“I am sorry to see Kath go to St Helens, but, for environmental reasons, I applaud Kath for taking a more local job. We should all, where we are able, use our cars less.

“I wish Kath every success as chief executive of the council in her home town of St Helens.”

Ms O’Dwyer joined CEC in 2015 as executive director of children’s services and deputy chief executive.

Her role was expanded the following year to oversee adults’ services, communities and public health.

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader, added: “I would like to thank Kath for her work and dedication to CEC.

Northwich Guardian:

“She has led and supported the organisation through some difficult times and great successes and I have always valued her advice, guidance and support.

“Cheshire East, as a borough and as a council, has enormous potential. While staffing committee are determining the way forward, the council’s leadership team will ensure that we continue to deliver our priorities.

“I wish Kath well in her new role in St Helens.”

The council worked with a recruitment agency to find candidates for the role, and it is believed this approach will save CEC money in finding a replacement.

CEC’s next chief executive will receive a salary of between £151,000 and £161,000 after councillors agreed to lower the wage bracket by £5,000 in July.

Ms O’Dwyer will pick up a salary of £160,000 in her new role – which had been vacant since October.

At the meeting where she was voted in last night, Cllr David Baines, St Helens Council leader, said: “Kath O’Dwyer has a track record of delivery and service improvement, which is second to none in local government.

Northwich Guardian:

“There isn’t a council in the country that wouldn’t want her as chief executive.

“And to top it all off she’s a resident in our great borough and she is St Helens through and through.”