A SENIOR council officer is to become the new chief executive of Slough Borough Council.
Josie Wragg, currently director of customer services and localities at Wokingham Borough Council is to move on after 20 years following the vote of approval by Slough’s councillors.
She will take up her new post in the autumn, something that she is excited by.
Ms Wragg said: “I am genuinely delighted to be joining Slough Borough Council as their new chief executive.
“As I progressed through the interview process I learned about and witnessed the incredible work currently underway at the council and the ambitions staff have for the borough’s residents.
“I am passionate about public service and am excited about the challenges this role brings.
Slough is a vibrant and ever-changing town and I feel fortunate to have the privilege of helping shape its future. I look forward to joining the council in the coming months.”
And Wokingham Borough Council’s leader, Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, was quick to praise Ms Wragg for her service to the council.
She said: “I extend my congratulations to Josie Wragg on her appointment [as Chief Executive of Slough Borough Council] and wish her every success for the future. She has worked tirelessly within the Borough for many years, and she will be sorely missed by many within our community.
“While it’s regrettable to lose a director to another Berkshire authority, it’s a clear demonstration that our experienced staff have the right skills and professionalism that other councils are keen to have.
“Local authorities both in Berkshire and around the country are impressed with our ambitions to do things differently, to be more commercial and become more efficient. I’d like to reassure our community that it is very much business as usual and our ambitious plans will continue to deliver our vision and priorities.”
And Cllr Haitham Taylor’s counterpart in Slough said that he was delighted to welcome Ms Wragg to his council.
Cllr James Swindlehurst said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Josie to Slough.
“I would like to be the first to congratulate Josie on her appointment and I look forward to her taking up this important leadership role.
“Josie is dedicated to public service and shares my belief that our staff are our best and most important asset.
“We went through a rigorous recruitment process to make sure we selected the best candidate and I am confident Josie will help us achieve our exciting vision for Slough.”
Senior staff vacancies affect council leadership
JOSIE WRAGG’S decision to move on from Wokingham after 20 years is not the only challenge facing the senior leadership of the borough council.
There are a number of vacancies and a senior officer is also on a leave of absence.
Earlier this month, councillors and staff were told that Graham Ebers, the director of corporate services and deputy chief executive, was unavailable. No reason has been given, and the council are remaining tight-lipped over the matter.
Interim chief executive Manjeet Gill said: “This is a personal issue and we are therefore unable to talk about employment matters relating to individual members of staff.”
During Mr Ebers absence, other senior staff will be covering his role.
Ms Gill said: “With regards to the Deputy Chief Executive role, Heather Thwaites, 21st Century Council Programme Director, will take on this role.
Heather has previous experience of doing this role at Wokingham Borough Council.
Ms Gill said: “Bob Watson, as the Deputy Section 151 Officer, is covering all Section 151 duties. No changes to the systems are required.”
Elsewhere, the vacant Chief Executive role will be advertised in September with the appointment to this role is expected by November. And a new Director of Children’s Services is expected to be appointed on Tuesday.
Ms Gill said that none of these issues would affect the delivery of the council’s 21st Century Council project.
