WHEN Waverley Borough Council’s executive director Paul Wenham departs on Monday, July 31, East Hampshire District Council executive director Tom Horwood is poised to take over.

In a “bold move” designed to forge closer cross-border links, Waverley’s full council is asked to recommend when it meets on Tuesday, August 1, that Mr Horwood is appointed as Waverley’s interim managing director and head of paid service.

Mr Horwood, who has 16 years of senior management experience across sectors, will work at Waverley for two to four days a week for up to six months.

Waverley Leader Farnham councillor Julia Potts said: “Waverley Borough Council’s future aspirations are focused on exemplary customer service, economic growth, place-making and generating income.

“Mr Horwood’s experience in this field is particularly relevant. Economic growth has been a continuous focus of both East Hampshire and Havant councils, they both have an excellent track record of innovation and business transformation, which has impressed me and the council’s senior management team.

“Mr Horwood will bring a fresh perspective and innovative, new ideas to Waverley; exactly what is needed for us to transform the council so we can continue to deliver the best services for our residents.

“He will work closely with all members, including the executive and Waverley’s senior management team to help shape the future direction and approach of the council.

“The interim arrangements will be delivered within existing budgets and give us a great opportunity to work collaboratively with East Hampshire and Havant, sharing our expertise and knowledge and developing the partnerships we have already established.”

EHDC leader councillor Richard Millard said: “This arrangement has my full support and I think that joint working is absolutely the right approach for local authorities to be taking.

“Working together with Havant has proved very successful for both councils and this proposed partnership with Waverley will further enhance the work we can do collectively to make the area an even better place for residents and businesses.”

Michael Cheshire, Havant Borough Council leader, said: “We took the innovative step of working with East Hampshire and this bold move has proved to be an example of how councils should work together.

“We are looking at taking another bold move here and I think that Waverley will make ideal partners as we have very similar priorities which centre around economic growth, place-making and generating income.

“This partnership enables us to identify opportunities which could benefit residents in all these areas.”