Yahoo News Nottingham City Council chief executive leaving to take on new role
Nottingham City Council chief exec Mel Barrett has announced he is leaving his role. He will take up a new role as chief exec of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH).
Mr Barrett said his decision was prompted by the fact that the organisation that now form MTVH were founded in the 1950s to provide safe and affordable homes for the Windrush Generation of Caribbean people who came to rebuild Britain after the war. This includes Mr Barrett's parents, who have both recently died.
Mr Barrett said: "This founding purpose of MTVH has provided strong personal motivation for me to join the organisation and to be part of shaping its future, being mindful that I will be standing on the shoulders of those that have gone before."
Mr Barrett, who joined the council in September 2020, said: "The job is not yet done and we know that the pace of improvement will increase, however progress made in a number of key areas including supporting vulnerable children, becoming a more open and transparent organisation and continuing to work with others to support the vibrancy and dynamism of our city and improve the life chances of our citizens despite the continuing financial challenges faced by local government."
The leader of Nottingham City Council, Councillor David Mellen, said: "I would like to thank Mel for all of his work and dedication since he joined the council in 2020. He became chief executive at a difficult time, in the middle of the Covid pandemic and when we faced significant challenges as a council.
"He has used his knowledge and experience of local government to lead our journey of improvement and make important changes to the way we work. I am confident that he has created the right foundation for us to continue to build on in Nottingham. I wish him every success for the future."
Lead commissioner Tony McArdle said: "Since arriving at the council a few weeks ago, the commissioner team has had a very positive relationship with Mel, working together with him to plan the further improvements needed at the council. We all wish Mel well for the future as he continues his long and distinguished career in public service."
Discussions will take place between the commissioners, executive councillors and senior officers on what arrangements will be put in place in relation to the chief executive role.
