The council has appointed a new chief executive after its former head stood down to take over at a Ewell college.
Epsom and Borough Council appointed its director of finance and resources Kathryn Beldon (pictured below) as the new CEO after six shortlisted applicants were interviewed by councillors, senior managers and an independent recruitment agency.
The decision was confirmed at an extraordinary council meeting last night (Tuesday, February 7).
From November: Epsom and Ewell Borough Council chief executive Frances Rutter to take over at Nescot college in Ewell
Mrs Beldon replaces the outgoing Frances Rutter (pictured below), who is taking over at Nescot (North East Surrey College of Technology) after eight years with the council.
The new chief executive joined the council in 2014 and had previously worked for Shepway District Council in Kent.
Councillor Eber Kington, chairman of strategy and resources committee, chaired the appointments panel. He said: “Despite some very challenging reductions in government funding, her commitment to finding new ways of delivery and to developing new sources of income has ensured that all our services have been retained.
“She has also been supporting our staff development programme, developing our senior managers as they also meet the challenges of doing more with less."
“Kathryn has a clear vision of how the borough council will continue to serve our residents, based on a practical yet dynamic and entrepreneurial financial strategy that recognises the need for the Council to become even more self-sufficient in the future.”
Mrs Beldon said she was “absolutely thrilled and honoured” to be appointed.
She added: “Whilst the future of local government remains challenging, this council has an ambitious agenda and I’m looking forward to working with councillors, staff and our partners to deliver these plans which will benefit residents and local businesses.”
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