THE new chief executive of North Somerset Council – Mandy Bishop – has started in the role.
Ms Bishop officially took over at the authority this morning (August 18) – in a role that comes with a salary believed to be more than £150,000 – having been appointed in May.
She joins NSC from Bath & North East Somerset Council, where she was chief operating officer, having previously worked for Newport City Council and Bristol City Council.
Ms Bishop was also formerly at NSC – as an assistant director before leaving in 2018 to take up a role at Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Now, she will oversee the council, which provides services for more than 220,000 residents, including more than 690 miles of roads, care for more than 1,080 people in residential or nursing care, and as a ‘corporate parent’ for almost 300 children in care.
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The new chief executive said: “I feel very privileged to be joining the council at such an exciting time and honoured to be working with such dedicated staff, councillors and communities.
“There’s lots to do and I’m definitely up for the challenge. It’s an exciting time to join as we’re delivering a number of key projects including the long-awaited Banwell Bypass, the Metrowest railway line from Portishead to Bristol, renovating Birnbeck Pier and the Tropicana, growing our economy and progressing devolution, where our aim is to join the West of England Combined Authority Area.
“As a North Somerset resident, I’m very ambitious for our area and want to continue to make it a great place to live, work and visit.”
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Cllr Mike Bell, leader of NSC, added: “It’s great to welcome back Mandy Bishop to North Somerset Council as our new chief executive.
“Mandy’s passion for North Somerset shines through and it’s an important and pivotal time for us with a number of key projects we’re delivering as well as fantastic opportunities we’re ready to explore. We’re delighted to have Mandy on board.”
The arrival comes as NSC battles an ongoing saga over delayed recycling collections amid a driver shortage in the area.
Households have faced weeks of missed or delayed collections – with NSC blaming the lack of HGV drivers during peak holiday season.
Ms Bishop takes over in the role from Jo Walker, who stood down to take a role at Gloucestershire County Council.
It seems that it is only Councillors and senior council officers that want to be part of WECA. Will we the public get a say in this?