Lincolnshire county council's new chief exec asked to save £1m from top team
Lincolnshire County Council has appointed its new Chief Executive, and the Reform leader has already issued him a cost-cutting challenge.
Andrew Crookham, the current deputy chief executive, will take over when Debbie Barnes retires next spring after nearly 20 years with the council.
Council leader Sean Matthews has said Mr Crookham’s first job will be looking at how to save £1million from the authority’s senior leadership team.
Mr Crookham will become the highest-paid public servant in the county, although he will initially earn less than the previous holder.
His appointment was confirmed unanimously at a full council meeting on Friday, November 21, with cross-party praise for his current work.
Coun Matthews said: “He is the ideal candidate, and it is really important for the good of Lincolnshire that we have continuity with the role.
“I have tasked him with one job so far – saving £1million from the senior leadership team.”
Speaking after the meeting, he added: “It’s up to him how he comes to the figure.
“When we’re talking about the sort of money these people are on, it’s not particularly difficult to come to a saving of £1million.
“And we’ve got to do that across the board for the council, we’ve got to save money and streamline. The senior leadership team is not exempt.”
There was also discussion in the meeting about the role’s salary, which will start at £204,522 and could increase up to £230,633 with performance evaluations every two years.
Coun Matthews said: “It’s a staggering amount of money but that’s the marketplace we’re in.
“We could have got someone on £50,000, but they wouldn’t have been any good. We need someone with the ability and approach [Debbie Barnes] has.”
Labour Councillor Karen Lee described her as “worth every penny”.
Ms Barnes was also praised for being the “calm in the storm” during the transition to the new Reform administration.