Wednesday, October 14, 2015

News: Council director set to leave

Karl Battersby, strategic director for Environment and Development Services at Rotherham Council, is set to leave the authority to take on a new role at Wigan Council.

Karl has worked at Rotherham Council since 2003, previously as a director of Planning and Transportation and as development control manager. He has been strategic director for Environment and Development Services for the last eight years.

The longest serving senior manager in the council, his remit included the broadest range of services within the authority, primarily focusing on key services delivered to the public such as housing, waste collection and disposal, street cleansing, libraries and customer services and economic development, planning, retail investment and the regeneration arm, RiDO.

Battersby's time at the council saw him play key roles in the Rotherham Renaissance initiative; supporting Rotherham United into a new £20m stadium; the council's move to new offices and the deal with Tesco; approving the Waverley new community development - the biggest planning application the authority has ever dealt with; developing a "sound" core strategy in the Local Plan - one of the first councils to do so; and the regeneration of the Pit House West site which finally looks to be coming to fruition.

Stella Manzie, managing director commissioner at Rotherham Council, said: "Karl has worked at Rotherham Council for 12 years and has held the post of strategic director since 2007.

"He will be greatly missed but we wish him all the very best in his new role at Wigan Council."

As the borough makes a "fresh start" under the management of Government-appointed commissioners, Karl was the only permanent chief officer in post alongside the director of public health, with 45% of the top three tiers of staff currently vacant or covered by interim appointments. Recruitment is underway for a new chief executive, directors and assistant directors.

The council restructure put forward by the commissioners saw non-adult services functions of Neighbourhoods and Adults Services and the asset management functions previously held with Audit, move into Environment and Development Services. Licensing, which has been in the spotlight since it was criticised in independent reports, also moved into the directorate.

Having previously held more junior management roles in both Wakefield and Blackpool Councils Karl has also worked for Exeter City Council and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. He is set to become the director of economy and regeneration at Wigan.

Rotherham Council website

Images: RMBC

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