Appointments have been agreed or recommended to five of the six posts heading up a joint approach to strengthening services for children, families and adults in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Cambs Times: New directors have been appointed. Lou Williams.New directors have been appointed. Lou Williams. (Image: Archant)

The decision was made after both the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Employment Committees met on Friday.

Cambs Times: New directors have been appointed. Wendi Ogle-Welbourne.New directors have been appointed. Wendi Ogle-Welbourne. (Image: Archant)

· Wendi Ogle-Welbourn - currently interim joint director across both the County and City Councils - was confirmed in her role

Cambs Times: New directors have been appointed. Charlotte Black.New directors have been appointed. Charlotte Black. (Image: Archant)

· Charlotte Black – currently Service Director Older People’s Services and Mental Health at Cambridgeshire County Council was appointed in the joint director role covering Adult services

Cambs Times: New directors have been appointed. Adrian Chapman.New directors have been appointed. Adrian Chapman. (Image: Archant)

· Will Patten – currently Children, Families and Adults Transformation Director at Cambridgeshire County council was appointed in the joint director role covering Commissioning (CCC contract)

· Adrian Chapman - currently Service Director for Adult Services and Communities at Peterborough City Council was appointed, subject to confirmation by the Peterborough City Council Employment Committee, to the joint director role of Community and Safety role

· And Lou Williams – currently Service Director, Children’s Services & Safeguarding at Peterborough City Council was appointed, subject to confirmation by the Peterborough City Council Employment Committee, as the joint director of Children’s Services

No appointment was made to the joint director of Education role, which now go to national external advert.

A number of the existing roles were vacant and covered by interim appointments pending this decision.

The benefits of a joint approach include working with partners and a strengthened focus on a potential second devolution deal focused on social care and tackling deprivation.

The shared management arrangements will also lead to savings of just over £1m for Cambridgeshire County Council and £200k for Peterborough City Council.

The success of this joint arrangement, mirrors the two councils’ earlier decision to share the post of Chief Executive – Gillian Beasley, and that of Director of Public Health - Liz Robin.