A NEW top boss will run the Royal Borough temporarily as councillors say goodbye to chief executive Duncan Sharkey.

In July, it was confirmed that Mr Sharkey, who has been with the borough since 2019, will move on to take the reins as chief executive of Somerset County Council following a ‘high profile national search’.

He will become the top council boss of the new unitary Somerset Council from next April.

Under Mr Sharkey’s rein, he and the finance officers steered the Royal Borough away from declaring bankruptcy a couple of years ago following historic overspending of a low council tax.

Mr Sharkey also made governance changes to the council after he called in CIPFA to review the local authority. It heavily criticised ‘lack of financial transparency’ which ‘masked’ the council’s problems as well as dominant members not recognising challenge is a ‘good thing'.

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He also managed the borough during three historic events in Windsor just in the last year – that being the funeral of Prince Philip, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and the recent Queen’s funeral.

At a full council meeting, which lasted nearly six hours, councillors paid tribute to the departing chief executive and welcomed his temporary replacement Tony Reeves while permanent candidate is sought after.

Council leader Andrew Johnson (Con: Hurley & Walthams) thanked Duncan for his service and for making cultural changes that were badly needed.

He said: “I personally think the new Somerset Unitary is very lucky to have you. It is with deep regret that you are leaving us as there’s a lot of work to do but I think it would be very wrong of you to turn down that fantastic opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Simon Werner (Pinkneys Green) said Mr Sharkey was an “outstanding” chief executive and praised his decision to call in CIPFA as “brave” in order to reform the council.

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He said: “I remember the interviews and he [Duncan] was head and shoulders above the other candidates. There was no doubt about who we were going to pick. Don’t tell the other candidates that.”

Tony Reeves will be the interim chief executive for six months and will be paid nearly £1,400 a day, which includes fees, for three days per week.

He was recommended to be appointed following the unanimous approval from the appointment committee. Mr Reeves started the role on Monday, October 3.

Tony has a background in strategic leadership roles in local government, having served previously at Liverpool City Council, Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council and Wakefield City Council.

Cllr Johnson said: “His primary areas of focus at the Royal Borough will include next year’s budget setting process and the impact of the adult social care reform within the council. We look forward to working with him over the coming months.”