‘No objections’ to Middlesbrough Council’s proposed new top boss

Daniel Hodgson

20 November 2024 at 9:54 am·2-min read

Middlesbrough Council has confirmed that “no objections” have been raised by executive members over Erik Scollay being appointed the new permanent chief executive.

Subject to a vote by councillors at next week’s meeting of full council, Mr Scollay will be formally appointed the authority's new permanent chief executive, taking over from Clive Heaphy, who has been the interim chief executive since March 2023.

The Chief Officers Appointment Committee recommended Mr Scollay for the position last week. The committee is made up of eight councillors from across the three main political groupings on the council: Labour, Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA) and The Conservatives.

Following the recommendation, procedure meant that members of Mayor Chris Cooke’s executive had a three day window where they could raise objections. As none have been received, it means that the next stage is for the recommendation of Mr Scollay to proceed to a vote of full council at next week’s meeting on Wednesday, November 27.

The council outlined how Mr Scollay, 57, is currently director of Adult Social Services at the council, a role he has held for the past eight years. He has worked at the authority for 17 years and was a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy before embarking on a 30-year career in social care.

The same committee has been in the process of considering candidates for the post of director of Finance and Transformation. Debbie Middleton is the current interim director of Finance and her proposed replacement is yet to be announced.

Mr Heaphy and Ms Middleton’s contracts run until March 2025, having been extended in January 2024. Mr Heaphy arrived at the council in March 2023 and Ms Middleton joined in April of the same year.

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