Netta Meadows

The appointment will be confirmed at the full Council meeting on December 17.

Ms Meadows will move to SBC from South Somerset District Council where she is currently the director for service delivery. She joined South Somerset in 2017 as the director for strategy and support services.

She has also previously held director roles at Bristol City Council working across strategic commissioning, commercial relations, social care and neighbourhood services.

The chief executive is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of SBC and its business, and is the main point of contact between the elected members of the council and its officials.

Ms Meadows will also be responsible for guiding and advising the authority on policy and ensuring the council’s aims and objectives are met.

She will join the council on 22 March 2021 following a thorough recruitment process, replacing Tracey Logan who retired in September.

Netta Meadows said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be appointed into this role and am excited to start work with Scottish Borders Council early next year. I am looking forward to immersing myself into the region, and to working with Members, partners, communities and colleagues to shape and steer the challenges that lie ahead.”

Councillor Shona Haslam, leader of SBC, added: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Netta Meadows as our new chief executive.

“Her passion for local government shone through in the interview process. She has excellent experience at a senior level in this sector and established herself as the outstanding candidate in an incredibly strong field.

“We face many challenges at the moment including COVID-19 and financial pressures, but there are also a number of opportunities for the council. I strongly believe Netta is the right person to lead us into the future and ensure SBC continues to thrive as an organisation, with our communities and people at the heart of everything we do.”