Teignbridge Chief Executive, Nicola Bulbeck, takes on Torridge leadership role

Nicola Bulbeck, Chief Executive of Teignbridge District Council, is to become the joint chief executive of both Teignbridge and Torridge District Councils after being appointed as Torridge's interim chief.

The move, which will continue until Torridge makes a permanent appointment to the post later next year, is thought to be the first time nationally that a Chief Executive post will be shared across councils which are not geographically adjacent and have different political leadership. 

Teignbridge is led by a partnership of Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors and Torridge has a Conservative majority with cross-party Member support and a 'one-team' approach.

Her appointment as joint Chief Executive for the two Devon councils will initially run for six months while Torridge seeks a full time replacement for John van de Laarschot, their current chief executive who is moving to take up the top job at Stoke-On-Trent City Council.

Ms Bulbeck said:   

"We'll be breaking new ground, working together wherever we can for the benefit of local people and the services we provide.  Already both councils are performing well, with good inspection results and a track record of collaborative working in Devon.

"I look forward to this fresh challenge with support from our committed and enthusiastic staff and made possible through cross-party Member support."

The new arrangement will see Ms Bulbeck divide her time between Teignbridge and Torridge which will help develop joint working between the two high-performing councils. 

She is expected to start handover work with Torridge District Council in December, ahead of taking up the full role in January 2010.