Caerphilly County Borough Council has appointed a new interim chief executive to lead the authority over the next six months.
Christina Harrhy, the current corporate director of communities, will become Caerphilly’s first female chief executive when she takes over the position in the new year.
The appointment was agreed at a special meeting of full council on Tuesday, December 5 following the announcement by current post-holder Chris Burns that he is to step down at the end of the year when his contract ends.
Mr Burns was drafted in to run council services in 2014 in the place of Anthony O’Sullivan – who at the time was suspended because of the local authority’s pay scandal.
Ms Harrhy has been with Caerphilly Council for more than two years having previously worked at a senior level within Torfaen and Carmarthenshire councils.
She said: “I am delighted and honoured to be offered the opportunity to take charge at what I believe to be one of the leading local authorities in Wales.
“I’ve seen the excellent services that our dedicated workforce provides and I want to ensure we build on this in the future.”
“However, I also recognise that we have some difficult challenges ahead due to the ongoing financial pressures, so we need to do things more efficiently and embrace new ways of delivering services.
Cllr Dave Poole, leader of the council, said: “We look forward to Christina taking over this key position in the new year and building on the positive legacy that has been left by Chris Burns.
“I’m sure staff and councillors will welcome the appointment and I particularly welcome the opportunity to work with Christina to ensure we continue to deliver services which meet the needs and aspirations of our community.”
I see the customary backslapping continues – no change there then…
Fair play to Christina, when she was first appointed at Caerphilly she would always answer emails and would do a thorough investigation if you raised a question as a councillor. At scrutiny meetings she always gave a ‘can do’ response and I felt she was open to new ideas,had time to listen to them and take them into account. I’m sure she’ll continue to work that way in the top job.
All good points, but my question is does she have the qualifications to carry out this role as a Chief executive or has she just got the role through people she knows? In my opinion to be chief executive for Caerphilly you need previous experience, the relevant qualifications and sadly I don’t think she does.
The problem, as I see it, is that the council does not look elsewhere for senior managers. This is a very, very well paid job and the council could surely pick an expert manager or company director with a proven record in driving efficiency, reducing cost and delivering first class service.
Instead they prefer to keep appointing from within local government. I have no gripe with Christina Harrhy, I’m sure she is hard working but would she be paid well over £100k if she took a job in the private sector? I have my doubts
Totally agree Richard with your comment
I would like to see her CV and see if she has the qualifications to undertake this role, or has she just been promoted because she has worked in the council before and she knows people. In my opinion the best person for this job should have a qualification in management to degree level and experience. You just can’t give a person the job just because they have worked within other departments. I’m not surprised though that she has its typical council. And before people say, you having a go because she is a woman, this is not the case. If anyone male or female can carry out this role and be qualified to do so let them do it. In the council you seem to just get promoted because your face fits not because you can do the role.