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by Brian Bamford
ON the 15 OCT 2014, Dan Thompson in the MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS (MEN) announced that 'Rochdale council to fill its problem chief executive post.' At the time the now disgraced Councillor Richard Farnell, the then leader of Rochdale council, described the appointment of Mr Rumbelow, a former director for Manchester council, as a ‘major coup’.
Cllr. Farnell added: “He is one of the country’s most successful and dynamic chief executives. He has a wealth of experience in other chief executive and leading local government posts in the north west."
Then the MEN declared that 'The appointment of Steve Rumbelow, who has been chief executive at Burnley council since July 2006, is expected to be approved at a meeting of Rochdale town hall chiefs tonight' and that 'Steve Rumbelow expected to become the town hall's fourth chief executive in the space of three years'.
A giddy Cllr. Farnell enthused: 'He is one of the country’s most successful and dynamic chief executives. He has a wealth of experience in other chief executive and leading local government posts in the north west.
'Rochdale’s priority is bringing new businesses and jobs to the borough and Steve is recognised as one of the most experienced regeneration experts in the region.
'He has led the transformation of Burnley, which was recently named as the Most Enterprising Place in the UK.'
In 2014, Mr Rumbelow proclaimed that he was ‘looking forward’ to taking over the reins at Rochdale Council.
He added: 'I’ve been looking hard at the current challenges and issues ahead for the council and all our partner organisations. But what I’ve really been struck by is the commitment of councillors, officers and people right across the borough to do the best for residents, and develop new opportunities and prospects.
'Rochdale is well known for its pioneering spirit and I am really pleased to have been appointed to this role, and to be able to work alongside so many committed people.'
In 2014 Mr Rumbelow became the fourth chief executive of Rochdale council in the space of three years.
Roger Ellis took early retirement in April 2012 – a month before nine men were jailed over the town’s grooming scandal – and came under fire for taking a £75,000 redundancy package, despite the town hall failing vulnerable victims of sexual abuse.
Mr Ellis was replaced by Jim Taylor, who faced controversy 2013 when Rochdale council tried to give him a £40,000 pay rise – taking his salary to £170,000 – a move that was ultimately defeated by councillors following a huge backlash.
Hence, the role of Chief Executive in Rochdale has not been a happy one over the last decade or so, it's a troubled trade and we wish 'Two-Jobs Rumbelow' all the best in his multiple roles.
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1 comment:
LOL, thanks for this.
Astonishing isn't it... after Roger Ellis left as RMBC Chief Executive, but before Rumbelow was wheeled in, your excellent article below mentions a 'backlash' against Jim Taylor getting a £40,000 / year pay rise from RMBC councillors.
Yet the very same councillors then handed Mr Rumbelow a second job with the NHS which was worth £35-40,000 / year at the time (and which actually went up last year by a further 25% to £45-50,000/ year.)
In short, exactly the same pay rise, meaning councillors were prepared to argue against Jim Taylor getting an "in-your-face" pay rise, but had zero problem handing exactly the same level of pay rise to his successor as long as it was sneaked in under the NHS banner.
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