Go-ahead sought for council chief to tackle looming cuts

The council's Chief Officers Appointments Committee is recommending that Richard Flinton, currently the council's Corporate Director of Business and Environmental Services, should succeed John Marsden, who left in March.

Mr Flinton, who is 45 and lives in Ryedale, has worked for the council for 23 years. Born and bred in North Yorkshire, he attended school and sixth-form college in Scarborough, before studying economics at De Montfort University, Leicester.

His career with the authority has included periods as a Trading Standards Officer and Assistant Chief Executive.

He has been Director of Business and Environmental Services, responsible for highways, waste disposal, economic development, countryside services and trading standards, since March 2008.

"I am extremely proud to have been nominated as chief executive," he said. "The county council plays such a major part in maintaining the quality of life of everyone in North Yorkshire, providing vital services such as adult social care, children's services, highways and transport.

"The coming years will be very challenging for local government and I look forward to facing these challenges alongside all of the dedicated county councillors and staff who together are committed to working to the utmost on behalf of the communities of North Yorkshire."

County councillor John Weighell, leader of the council, said: "There will be many challenges to be overcome throughout local government in the coming years, as the nation deals with its very pressing economic problems.

"We believe Richard Flinton, with his wealth of experience in every level of local government, is exactly the person we need to guide North Yorkshire through this demanding and in some senses unpredictable period."

The pressure will be on Mr Flinton as soon as he gets his feet under his new desk. He will be immediately tasked with dealing with a 40m cash crisis.

Mr Marsden warned before his departure of the financial pressures that his successor will face amid a surge in demand for services while funding from Westminster falls significantly.