Fire chief to become county council's top officer

By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Feb 2016, 15:15 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:21 BST
Sean Ruth chief fire officer (photo submitted) SUS-160222-154140001Sean Ruth chief fire officer (photo submitted) SUS-160222-154140001
Sean Ruth chief fire officer (photo submitted) SUS-160222-154140001
West Sussex's fire chief is set to become West Sussex County Council's most senior officer on a temporary basis.

Sean Ruth, who is chief fire officer at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service alongside his council role as executive director for communities and public protection, will be acting chief operating officer (COO) when the current holder Gill Steward leaves at Easter to become chief executive for the London Borough of Bexley.

In the last few months Mr Ruth has been deputy COO and will hold the top job at the council until a chief executive is appointed.

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Two years ago the county council’s last chief executive Kieran Stigant stood down and the role was abolished.

Instead two new posts of a COO and transformation director were created, roles which were later merged in September 2014.

Plans to re-establish the chief executive post were approved by councillors last Friday (February 19).

Louise Goldsmith, leader of WSCC said: “West Sussex County Council is in a strong position to be taken forward by a chief executive after the planned period of transformation.

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