Eden Council’s new chief executive Ian Frost has promised to provide “strong leadership” as the district authority prepares to transition into a unitary model of local government.
Mr Frost said: “I’m excited to join Eden District Council during this challenging period in its history.”
He said the district authority faces a period of “unprecedented change” as it seeks to assist residents, businesses and partners in the post-COVID-19 recovery, while also preparing to transition to the new unitary authority that will shape local government reorganisation in Cumbria by the spring of 2023.
“As interim chief executive, it is my role to deliver on the priorities and ambitions of the cabinet and the elected members of the council, as well as providing strong leadership and clear guidance to its officers,” said Mr Frost.
He added: “In undertaking these duties I have three clear priorities: To ensure that Eden continues to deliver excellent services to its residents.
“To provide a strong voice for Eden as we prepare for local government reorganisation, while ensuring that the council’s officers are engaged and empowered to make a positive contribution to that process; and to continue to raise the profile of Eden as a destination for investment to support and revitalise its rural and visitor economies.”
Mr Frost joined Stoke-on-Trent City Council straight from school as a junior clerk and spent 25 years there.
A qualified accountant, he undertook all financial planning in the transition from district council to unitary council in 1997 and ultimately achieved the role of corporate director and section 151 officer — a position he also held at Milton Keynes.
His latest role was as chief executive of Allerdale Borough Council where he worked for six years.
As Eden’s new chief executive, Mr Frost is set to earn an annual equivalent salary of £253,700 — with a daily rate of £1,180 — which over the course of his tenure would add up to £380,550.
However, the council will not have to foot the bill for any pension or national insurance contributions as it does for permanent members of staff.
Eden Council’s resources portfolio holder, Karen Greenwood (Ind Alliance, Appleby), defended his pay packet at a full meeting of the district authority, saying it was the market rate.
“Short-term work always pays better than a normal contract,” said Mrs Greenwood.
She said Mr Frost was experienced and knows the political landscape in Cumbria.
She added: “I understand the concern that this is a lot of money for a small authority, but I would like to emphasise the workload that is coming up for the next 18 months for our senior officers is massive.
“They are meeting with other district councils and the county council to set up a new authority which is going to last maybe for another 50 years. It’s important that this work is done correctly.
“It’s important that we do have a foundation on which to build our new authority.
“Our reserves are healthy and they are there for when the roof is leaking and the roof is leaking now. This is what we are going to spend our reserves on. It’s a sensible thing to do. It’s an ethical and a moral thing to do.”
A total of 186 members of staff work for the council, although this does not include staff contracted through Urbaser for waste management and cleaning services.
The chief executive is the district authority’s “head of paid service” and has responsibility for overall management of the council, its vision and strategy.
Paul Sutton said the salary would not be pensionable, because he will not be an employee of the authority.
“For a permanent member of staff the council would pay in addition to the salary pension and national insurance.
Mary Robinson said: “Consultants who were tasked to find us a new chief executive for a fixed term contract, so it’s nothing like a normal employment term, when we are already going into a unitary authority makes it a very spool that Penna could choose from. And they did their job.
“There were four applicants originally, then one dropped out, and then there was three and then one of them dropped out because they got alternative employment.
“The rate is the market rate for fixed term contracts.”
