THE executive director at East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) and Havant Borough Council could take on an additional role as Waverley Borough Council’s interim managing director and head of paid service.

A report that will be put to Waverley’s full council next Tuesday (July 18) will recommend that, as from August 1, Tom Horwood takes on the role.

The report recommends that Mr Horwood, who has 16 years of senior management experience across sectors, will work at Waverley for two to four days per week for up to six months, following current head of paid service Paul Wenham’s departure on July 31.

Commenting on the appointment, Waverley Borough Council leader 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 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, leader of Havant Borough Council, 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.”

A statement from EHDC confirmed that the cost of Tom Horwood’s appointment would be shared.

“East Hampshire and Havant will be covering their costs. The work will benefit all three councils and fits the councils’ strategies of partnership working to provide top-quality services in the most efficient way.”