Cheshire East Council to pay interim boss £1,200 a day

David Parr’s appointment as the authority’s interim chief executive is expected to be rubber-stamped at full council on Wednesday (October 18).

He will take up his new post when current chief executive Lorraine O’Donnell leaves later this month.

A report to next week’s meeting says: “David Parr OBE has extensive experience in local government, having been chief executive in three authorities, including former Macclesfield Borough Council.

“David’s partnership approach has delivered many significant achievements and opportunities for the communities he has served, most notably the delivery of the £1.5 billion Mersey Gateway Bridge project and brings valuable experience of all areas of local government.”

In 2019, Mr Parr was awarded an OBE for services to local government in Halton and Cheshire and, prior to this, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by the University of Chester for services to Cheshire and local government.

The council says he will be contracted at a daily rate of £1,200 plus VAT.

Agency fees mean the cost to Cheshire East will actually be £1,380 a day plus VAT.

He will be working the equivalent of three days a week.

The council report says: “The cost would be in the region of £91,000 if the appointment ran from mid-October 2023 to March 31, 2024. This means that the cost can be met from the existing budget for the post of chief executive.”

Cllr Sam Corcoran (Image: Cheshire East Council)Council leader Sam Corcoran (Lab) said: “I’m delighted that someone with David’s experience has been identified as Cheshire East Council’s interim chief executive.

"The chief executive role plays a critical part in us navigating our way through the challenges that local government is facing and enables us to deliver against the priorities that we have for the borough.

“I would like to thank Dr Lorraine O’Donnell, as our departing chief executive, for her work and wish her well in her new role.

"Lorraine’s contribution to developing the organisation we are today has been significant and invaluable. This has been a time of change for Cheshire East Council and Lorraine has been a driving force, supporting and delivering our vision for the borough.

"The work continues to find a new permanent chief executive, and David’s leadership in the interim, will help us in the next stage of our journey, seizing new opportunities and meeting the challenges that we have ahead of us."

Cllr Craig Browne (Image: Cheshire East Council)Deputy council leader Craig Browne (Ind) said, “I’m pleased to support the recommendation of David’s appointment, to full council. He is an experienced leader with a track record on making a difference across Cheshire and Halton.

"His local knowledge will be a great asset while he supports us as the interim chief executive."

Cheshire East is currently recruiting for a permanent chief executive who will be on a salary of between £170,000 and £190,000.