Three East Sussex councils to share chief officer

The chief executive of Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough councils in East Sussex is to take on the role of interim chief executive of Hastings Borough Council.

At a full council meeting on Wednesday Hastings councillors unanimously agreed to appoint Robert Cottrill as the authority’s interim chief executive.

The appointment is for an initial six-month period, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council says Mr Cottrill will continue as the chief executive of Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council, dividing his time between each authority.

Mr Cottrill has been chief executive at Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Council since January 2016 and has 35 years’ experience in the public sector.

He was appointed chief executive at Eastbourne in 2009 and subsequently to the joint role with Lewes District Council in 2016.

In a statement released after the meeting, Mr Cotrill said: “As a resident of Hastings, I know the town well and consider it a great honour and privilege to be asked to lead our council."

The appointment comes after Jane Hartnell, the authority’s previous chief executive, departed from her role last month.

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