The new chief executive of the Isle of Wight Council has said it was “a real privilege” to be offered the position this week.
Councillors voted in favour of the recommendation of the cross-party appointment and employment committee to appoint Wendy Perera at a meeting of the Full Council.
Wendy, whose new role includes head of paid service, has worked for the council for much of her career, including key roles in the planning department.
She was formerly assistant chief executive, director of corporate strategy and has been acting as interim chief executive since April this year after John Metcalfe left the authority to join Cumbria County Council.
Wendy said:
“It is a real privilege to be offered this position.
“I have been with the Isle of Wight Council for many years and very proud and pleased to call the Island my home.
“There will be challenges to face in the coming months and I am committed to helping the council, council staff and the Island face those challenges.”
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Wendy’s appointment followed a rigorous recruitment process with 21 applications being received by the council.
A shortlist of seven high-quality candidates underwent a gruelling two-day interview process including presenting to 30 local stakeholder representatives from across the voluntary and community sector, statutory partners and senior council staff.
The appointment and employment committee, which led the formal interviews, was tasked with recommending a candidate to Full Council which met on Wednesday.
Councillor Lora Peacey Wilcox, council leader, said:
“I congratulate Wendy on her new role as chief executive.
“Wendy brings with her a wealth of skills, experience and an in-depth knowledge of local government.
“In these extremely challenging times, we are putting faith in Wendy to provide the direction required to inspire the council and its admirable staff forward.”
Much like Groundhog Day, maybe it will work one day….
Let’s hope more than just a controlled puppet whose only real input acted upon is the colour of the soft furnishings.
We have more than challenges, we have serious problems, many created by the council allowing those close to build too many homes, many of them never to be filled by real Islanders but lowlife overspill instead.
Just another weak patsy until proven otherwise imo
Here’s a suggestion Ms. Perera.
First, take the (already highly paid) position at the old salary, not with a 6k+ uplift. Secondly, stop treating the Council Tax Payers (yes there are some of us that actually pay full Council Tax) as some sort of magic money tree.
There is a cost of living ‘crisis’, so you only exacerbate the problem by ridiculous repeated big increases in Council Tax year-on-year.
Stop the vanity projects and ‘trendy’ projects. Ensure staff are WORKING to their full capacity, not avoiding dealing directly with the public or continuing to use covid as an excuse for mot doing anything. If they are not producing proper work, they are not needed, get rid if them!
The Alliance of secrets will make more cuts to services, not staff and raise council tax even higher.
So, they can give £360,000.00 more, to those who only pay 35% tax council tax.
Some will be genuine, but as most know, many are just the “entitled” workshy.
At the next election we need a council who consider the struggle faced by all voters. Rather than just punishing those working, or pensioners.
Council tax should be used for all. Not as an addition to the multitude of benefits many already receive..
First job.
Stop “idiots” parking on Pavements down Great Preston Road Ryde
Perhaps the impoverished council house tenants IF they are sooo poor to need handouts of food, could give up their cars, save a fortune and allow those who do fund themselves and their children to park outside benefit row.
A win win for all.
She will not care any more than the last or the one before that, in her exalted position she has the opportunity of at least two further top council jobsa round the merry go round of CEO jobsto go, and she will go, I think the usual term is about three years before they move to pastures green and a better salary.
Ms Perera has history at IWC, especially at Planning.
Interesting and possibly incompetent that they had to sift through 20 others before finding the answer in the office next door.
Still, presumably they saved an agent’s fee, but at what cost of advertising, consultancy, legals…?
If she’s committed to helping people to overcome challenges, maybe she’ll donate half of her huge salary to food banks.
she can shut off the money hose to the leeching spongers that aren’t working
Never had a proper job in the real world, and has no concept of the reality of peoples lives outside of the cosy, cushy, council jobs bubble.
Hopefully she will start things moving towards a tunnel to the mainland…