Wakefield Council confirms Andrew Balchin as new chief executive

Andrew Balchin, who took over the local authority on an interim basis in September, was formally confirmed into the role full-time on Wednesday.

As chief executive, Mr Balchin will be the most senior officer within the authority, and will be tasked with implementing the decisions and policies made by elected councillors.

Announcing the appointment, council leader Denise Jeffery told a virtual meeting of the local authority on Wednesday that Mr Balchin was a "really worthy" candidate.

She said: "He's worked unstintingly this year, day in day out in the Town Hall dealing with everything.

"I'm delighted we had a really strong interview panel who unanimously supported Andrew for this position."

Mr Balchin, who was previously the council's corporate director for health, takes over from former chief executive Merran McRae, who took early retirement this year.

He will be paid £175,000 a year in the role.

Local Democracy Reporting Service