Jobshare for third council executive

First meeting of the shadow authority for combined devolution at the Abax Stadium. John Harrison and John Holdich EMN-161214-150003009

Finance director John Harrison will take on the same role at East Cambridgeshire District Council for an estimated two to four days per month over the next six months.

Mr Harrison, who has a salary of £140,000 a year, follows in the footsteps of council chief executive Gillian Beasley who agreed to a job share with Cambridgeshire County Council before both roles were merged.

Council corporate director of people and communities, Wendi Ogle-Welbourn, also took on the role last September of director of childrens’ services and director of adult social services with the county council.

The job share was agreed on a temporary basis, although no end date has yet been given.

The council said not signing up to this agreement with Mr Harrison would be a “missed opportunity” to form a partnership with East Cambs.

It added: “As has been seen with the successful trial and subsequent appointment of Gillian Beasley as shared chief executive of Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, such shared arrangements can be managed and effective in delivering effective services.”

The city council said it will receive up to £20,000 from East Cambs under the new deal, with a daily rate of £835 agreed between the two authorities for Mr Harrison’s time at the district council.

Meanwhile, the city council’s service director for financial services, Steven Pilsworth, will be leaving his position on March 24.

Mr Pilsworth joined the council in September 2009 after leaving Cambridgeshire County Council.

His reasons for leaving his current job have not been revealed.

An interim service director will be appointed in the coming weeks with the council aiming to appoint a full-time replacement by the summer at the latest.

Councillor David Seaton, cabinet member for resources, said: “Steven has played a vital part in leading the council through one of the most challenging financial periods in our history, delivering improvements and protecting services whilst meeting the challenge of balancing the council’s budget in the face of ever-decreasing government funding.

“I know that Steven is respected by the councillors of all political parties. He will be missed by his colleagues and we wish him the very best in the future.”