David Taylor, the council’s Corporate Director – People, has agreed to act as the council’s ‘head of paid service’.

The role is a statutory one – required by law – working under the direction of the council’s Cabinet, and is important for the day-to-day running of the council. In simple terms, the role means acting as line manager to the council’s senior managers.

The appointment must now be formally agreed by full Council at their next meeting. If approved, David will take on the role while continuing in his role as corporate director. His other statutory responsibilities are director of children’s services and director of adult services.

Mr Taylor will receive no extra pay for fulfilling the role.

Keith Barrow, Leader of the Council, said:

“I’m really pleased that David Taylor has agreed to take on this important role.

“David is a hugely experienced, and very capable local government officer, who has often deputised for the chief executive in the past, at Shropshire Council and at other councils he has worked for, and he’ll help to ensure the smooth running of the Council.”

David Taylor said:

“Subject to approval by Council I’m very happy to take on this role, which is not an unfamiliar one to me. I was previously acting chief executive at Somerset County Council and I’ve deputised for Shropshire Council’s head of paid service on various occasions over the past couple of years, so it will be ‘business as usual’ for everyone providing and using our services.”