Proposed chief executive for the new Dorset Council announced

The Shadow Senior Appointments Committee has recommended that Matt Prosser should be appointed as the chief executive of Dorset Council, which goes live in April 2019. This recommendation will be put forward to the full Shadow Council at its meeting on 27 September for agreement.

The decision to recommend Matt Prosser for the position as first chief executive of the new council follows a national search to identify the best candidate to lead the staff of the new council and a recruitment process which started in early June, overseen by independent advisors.

Matt Prosser is currently chief executive of the Dorset Councils Partnership, serving North Dorset, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland councils and is the interim shadow head of paid service for Dorset Council.

Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will be first new local authorities to be formed in the UK for ten years. The county is reducing the number of local authorities from nine to two and aims to deliver local services more effectively and efficiently. The move to unitary authorities is anticipated to protect frontline services, reduce costs and give better value for money, with around £108m of savings expected in the first six years.

Cllr Spencer Flower, chairman of the Shadow Senior Appointments Committee said, “We are delighted to recommend Matt as the Chief Executive of the new council. This has been a tough process for all involved, but we are certain this decision is the right one and that Matt will continue to deliver this programme of change, which is the most exciting opportunity for local government in Dorset for over 40 years”.

Confirmation of the appointment will be announced after the Full Shadow Council has met on 27 September.