Appointment of new Chief Executive ratified

Jim Taylor

The appointment of Jim Taylor as Chief Executive of Rochdale Council has been ratified by Councillors at a meeting of Full Council.

Mr Taylor, who will replace Roger Ellis, will be paid £130,000 per annum – the maximum of the salary scale applicable to the post.

Councillors also agreed that Mr Taylor will undertake a “suitable Chief Executive development programme” and he will be allocated a Chief Executive mentor to “assist his development into the role.”

Mr Taylor is currently an Executive Director at Tameside MBC.

A report before councillors explained that Mr Taylor will not be able to fill the post immediately.

As previously reported by Rochdale Online, Executive Director Andy Zuntz will take on the role of Chief Executive on a temporary basis, in between Mr Ellis’ departure on 1 April and Mr Taylor taking up the role.

The report reads: “Arrangements for Mr Taylor to take up post are currently being finalised including discussion with the current employer regarding early release.

“It is clear however that Mr Taylor will not be able to take up post until after the departure of Mr Ellis on 1 April 2012.

“This means that it will be necessary for the Council to nominate an officer to act as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service during the period before Mr Taylor takes up post in Rochdale. Following consultation with the three party leaders it has been agreed that Mr A Zuntz, Executive Director, would be an appropriate person to carry out this role.

“Mr Zuntz has confirmed his willingness to undertake this acting role. It is anticipated that this acting arrangement will be required for a period of up to eight weeks following Mr Ellis’s departure. It is also proposed that Mr Zuntz should be paid an honorarium in recognition of the additional duties and responsibilities he will be undertaking during this interim period.

“It is proposed that Mr Zuntz should be remunerated at the minimum point of the new Chief Executive salary scale (£125,000 per annum).

“This will mean that Mr Zuntz will receive this higher level of pay for the duration of his role as acting Chief Executive. As council members will be aware, as a result of separate decision making it has been agreed that Mr Zuntz will leave the Council through voluntary early retirement.

“Accordingly, once his acting role is completed it is anticipated that Mr Zuntz will leave the organisation.”

The Council received a total of 18 applications for the post; five applicants were shortlisted for consideration. One withdrew for personal reasons leaving four candidates to be considered.

Papers before councillors revealed that the decision to appoint Mr Taylor was unanimous.

Speaking at Full Council, Council Leader, Colin Lambert, said: “We have a chance to take this borough forward, let’s give this borough a chance.”