THE INTERIM chief executive of Wokingham Borough Council has stepped down “to pursue other opportunities”.
Manjeet Gill was appointed in August last year on a six-month contract while the council looked for a replacement for the previously chief executive, Andy Couldrick.
Currently no new chief executive has been appointed although the council’s personnel board has been considering a long-list of candidate and is expected that a permanent appointment will made by Christmas.
Next week, an extraordinary meeting of the board will draw up a shortlist with interviews planned for next month.
Ms Gill came to Wokingham Borough Council after spending seven years as chief executive of West Lindsey District Council as well as holding several positions for Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, the leader of Wokingham Borough Council, paid tribute to Ms Gill.
In a statement, she said: “Following over a year as Interim Chief Executive of Wokingham Borough, Manjeet Gill has decided to leave the Council to pursue other opportunities.
“What had initially been just a six-month contract, turned into a much longer assignment as she assisted the Council whilst we recruited our new permanent Chief Executive and helped us with our long-term strategic plans.
“We would like to thank Manjeet for the energy and commitment she has shown to this Borough in developing and building stakeholder relationships with groups such as the Tenant and Landlord Involvement Panel (TLIP), representatives of our housing tenants, as well as partners including the NHS.
“We wish Manjeet well in her future endeavours, and we thank her for her dedication in extending her assignment beyond the initial six months.”
Cllr Haitham Taylor said that the matter of replacing Ms Gill will be considered by councillors when they meet next month.
She added: “Full Council will meet on Thursday, November 22, to agree the interim arrangements until our new permanent chief executive is appointed.
“In the meantime, Heather Thwaites will be acting chief executive.”
