WELLS City Council has appointed Haylee Wilkins as the new Town Clerk to succeed Steve Luck. Mr Luck is retiring in May after working in a multitude of roles at the council for more than 35 years.
Ms Wilkins, who has been the council’s Devolution Officer for the past year, will take over the Town Clerk role from February 24.
Mr Luck said: “I am looking forward to my retirement, after serving Wells for some time.
“My thanks go out to both those I have worked with, and my family who have and continue to support me. I am delighted in the appointment of the new Town Clerk and I know that I am leaving the council in safe and capable hands.”
Chairman of the Finance and Council Matters Committee, Councillor Stewart Cursley, said: “We have had the privilege of having a capable and knowledgeable Town Clerk for a long time, in Stephen Luck, and the council wishes him the very best of luck and health for his retirement.”
The council completed what it said was a rigorous recruitment exercise to appoint a new Town Clerk to deliver future services of the council, recognising the change in need for the community of Wells, and the growing public service demand following the devolution from Somerset Council.
At the Full Council meeting on January 30, councillors voted to appoint Haylee Wilkins as the new Town Clerk.
Ms Wilkins has extensive local government knowledge, including as Assistant Chief Executive at Mendip District Council. She said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the new Town Clerk for Wells City Council, and excited to work with the knowledgeable and skilled staff and councillors of the council to deliver excellent services to the community of Wells.”
The Mayor of Wells, Councillor Jasmine Brown, said: “We are delighted to appoint Haylee Wilkins as our new Clerk and have every faith that she has the skill, experience and vision to lead the council into the next important phase. I believe I can speak for all councillors of Wells City Council in saying that we are very much looking forward to working with her.”