A new director of resources has joined a Cumbrian council.
David Hodgkinson will take up the role with Westmorland and Furness Council in June.
He was previously corporate director of resources at Islington Council, a position he has held since 2020.
Previously, Mr Hodgkinson was at Westminster City Council as director of corporate finance and property, a position he held for just under five years.
Mr Hodgkinson will be the principal advisor on all financial services, leading strategic planning, procurement, commissioning, asset management and fleet service operations for Westmorland & Furness Council.
Sam Plum, chief executive of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “We are delighted that after a highly competitive recruitment process we have secured a candidate of David’s calibre to take on this critical role.
“His knowledge and experience will be key for us as we continue to develop as an ambitious, inclusive and innovative council.
“I very much look forward to him joining and to seeing the valuable contribution he will make to our council and for our residents.”
Andrew Jarvis, deputy council leader and cabinet member for finance, said: “Maintaining a healthy financial position is essential if we are to achieve all our ambitions as a council. I look forward to working with David and helping the team deliver on the good start we have made in our first two years.”
Mr Hodgkinson said: “It is an honour to join a dedicated team committed to serving its communities. I look forward to working closely with elected members and colleagues to drive meaningful progress and deliver the best outcomes for residents.”
Islington Council announced major spending cuts earlier this year, including grants to charities and a youth service spending review, plus running its Christmas lights ‘more efficiently’ as it had lost £300m-worth of funding over the last 10 years.
Mr Hodgkinson told the Islington Tribune: “We don’t provide services where there’s no demand for it. If in that situation, you obviously have to try and make efficiencies otherwise that would not be value for money and a very bad use of public money.”
Mr Hodgkinson added that an additional government grant would be able to make up for some of the cuts to children and youth services.
