A “STRONG” candidate has been recommended to take up the position of chief executive at Somerset County Council.

Sheila Wheeler could step into the role after being recommended by the council’s appointments panel, should county councillors confirm the post in November.

Sheila is currently chief executive of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council where has successfully moved the council from being assessed by the government as ‘weak’, to one that is now ranked as ‘excellent’.

Previously, Sheila has worked in local government for Adur District Council, Surrey County Council and the London Borough of Hounslow. Her time at Surrey also included a secondment to central government.

Ken Maddock, leader of Somerset County Council, said: “We are confident that we have a really strong candidate for one of the most important and demanding jobs in local government.

“Somerset County Council has to change to serve our residents better, yet we are likely to have more limited resources available to us. I am sure Sheila will be a key driver in helping identify and deliver the changes we need to make.”

Once confirmed in office at November’s council meeting, Sheila will take over the post previously held by Alan Jones, who retired as Somerset County Council’s chief executive in July.