Chief executive of NHDC John Campbell is to resign

THE new chief executive job at a council will not be advertised externally, it was announced today (Monday).

North Herts District Council’s (NHDC) chief executive John Campbell announced his resignation in November, with plans to join the borough council of Wellingborough in the same role.

That move was approved by the Northamptonshire council in December, so Mr Campbell will leave NHDC on Friday, February 24. An employment committee will now begin a process to find someone to take over his job, but will only advertise internally.

Mr Campbell said: “After considering a range of options, the council’s employment committee have agreed to hold an internal only recruitment exercise to appoint a chief executive for the council on an interim basis for a period of six-12 months. This appointment will be reviewed after six months.”

The appointment process will get underway early next month, with NHDC councillors making a final decision, following recommendations, on the week ending February 17 at a full council meeting.

“The appointments process for the post will take place in early February, following which the employment committee will make a recommendation to a meeting of full council,” added Mr Campbell.

“The final decision on the appointment rests with the full council.”

There is speculation that NHDC could later share a chief executive with a neighbouring authority. Currently, it is looking into the possibility of sharing services with Stevenage Borough Council and East Herts Council.

Councillors agreed in November to prepare a detailed business case to explore this further.