THE appointment of Thurrock's new managing director could signpost the way the government is thinking about regional reorganisation for wider south Essex – or even the whole county.

Thurrock Nub News understands it will shortly be announced that the new figure, placed by the government to take the helm of the troubled authority, is Dr Dave Smith – a man whose last role was running the South Yorkshire Mayoral Authority.

News of an imminent appointment at Thurrock – first flagged up by the government in January when local government minister Lee Rowley outlined his plans – was confirmed by an announcement at last night's (Wednesday, 15 March) cabinet, when council leader Cllr Mark Coxshall said the appointment was about to be made.

He said he was taking the opportunity, therefore, to thank outgoing acting chief executive Ian Wake for his efforts since stepping into the council hotseat when disgraced CEO Lyn Carpenter was stood down last September.

Dr Smith's appointment is symbiotic with a growing movement that suggests a new wider authority could be created in South Essex or even across the wider county. At the cabinet meeting Cllr Coxshall presented a report about Thurrock's role in plans outlined under the Government's Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

It sets out the legislative framework for regions to seek a devolution deal that would enable greater local control over a range of powers and funding currently held by central government.

Cabinet members agreed to taking steps to engage in the process of laying down some principles for a new layer of regional government.

The appointment of Dr Smith will undoubtedly bring kudos, experience and influence to Thurrock's position.

In June last year Dr Smith stood down as chief executive of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA).

Dr Smith had led the organisation since his arrival in 2016. He worked with the mayor and local authority leaders to complete the region's devolution deal, acted as returning officer for the election of the South Yorkshire's first and second mayors, and led the integration of the MCA and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

At the time he said: "I am proud to have been part of the MCA's journey and to have supported the Mayor and LEP's goals for South Yorkshire. It has been an immensely rewarding role to have and we have made great strides in challenging circumstances.

"After six years in the role I have decided the time is right for me to pursue other interests and opportunities."

Not everything in the past career of Dr Smith has been smooth – though it has been lucrative.

Prior to assuming his role in South Yorkshire Dr Smith was Sunderland City Council's chief executive and he received a £185,470 golden handshake after he quit his position after a damning Ofsted report criticised the council's children's services.

The payment to Mr Smith, who held the post for seven years, was part of a total £625,570 remuneration package which included his £108,686 annual salary and £331,414 in pension contributions.

While Dr Smith was at the helm of Sunderland the authority gained a reputation for trying to conceal the truth about its affair. Prior to Dr Smith's departure it was revealed Sunderland Council spent more than £35 million on settlement agreements since 2011 to keep departing staff silent!

Dr Smith's full-time predecessor at Thurrock, the now disgraced CEO Lyn Carpenter, also gained a reputation for secrecy and contempt for the truth.

Quite how all that sits with Cllr Coxshall's pledge that, going forwards, Thurrock will be a bastion of openness and transparency, remains to be seen.

Meantime, the search for the truth about what really happened as Thurrock Council lost hundreds of millions of pounds in its flawed 'borrow to invest' may take longer than expected to reach the public domain.

Publication of the findings commissioners who have probed deep into the borough's recent financial history was initially expected in December, then put back to February and then March.

But now sources within the council say it may be delayed until after May's elections – ostensibly because of legal concerns regarding allegations against senior officers but cynics will point to a political motive.