Lancs County Council appoints new chief exec

LANCASHIRE County Council has appointed Phil Halsall as its new chief executive.

Halsall, who is currently deputy chief executive and executive director of resources, replaces former chief executive Ged Fitzgerald, whose move to Liverpool City Council was announced earlier this month. He will take up his new position next year.

The council said that Halsall’s current role would be abolished as part of its effort to cut management overheads. The move will save the council more than £500,000 over the next three years.

Lancashire County Council Leader Geoff Driver said: “Phil is a highly experienced manager and leader who is already at the heart of our efforts to maintain high quality frontline services while delivering the savings required by Government.

“He will provide us with the continuity of leadership and considerable financial acumen needed to steer us through this difficult period.

“I cannot justify the time or expense we would have to invest in recruiting externally when I am sure, in Phil, the strongest possible successor is already at the county council.”

Prior to his current role, Halsall was an executive director of resources at Liverpool City Council. He has also previously been chief executive of South Ribble Borough Council.

“I’m pleased and honoured to take up the role and look forward to working with the members and staff to make a positive difference to the lives of people across Lancashire,” he said.