SDC Chief Executive Janet Waggott to leave on 31 March 2023

Selby Council's chief executive Janet Waggott is due to leave her role on 31 March, ahead of the new unitary authority, North Yorkshire Council, launching on 1 April.

Along with Craven District Council, Hambleton District Council, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Richmondshire District Council, Ryedale District Council and Scarborough Borough Council, Selby District Council will cease to exist on April 1, when North Yorkshire Council begins. As such, Janet’s role as the district council's chief executive and head of paid service role will end on 31 March 2023. 

 Janet Waggott has worked in local government for over 34 years, became the chief executive of Selby District Council in 2017 having previously been the interim chief executive for nine months and the chief executive of Ryedale District Council for over nine years. Prior to this Janet worked in Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council where she led a PFI new school build programme and led on a number of regeneration programmes. Janet started her local government career in the London Borough of Camden followed by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in their direct services organisations.  

 During her six years at Selby District Council, Janet has been instrumental in helping to deliver a number of strategic projects including the Better Together joint project with North Yorkshire County Council delivering services to residents and businesses as one council - a theme which has helpfully prepared the ground for the new authority. Additional new homes have been built and procured across the district. The introduction of digital programmes to modernise the council provided efficiencies but were invaluable as services needed immediate transformation during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Janet Waggott commented:  “It has been an enormous privilege to serve the residents and businesses of the Selby district on behalf of the council for the last six years. There is much to be proud of and naturally some ups and downs over the years including dealing with events such as flooding. The enormity of challenge brought about by the covid pandemic required commitment, resolve, quick thinking, redesigning the way we work, good communication and a clarity of purpose. We delivered well under these difficult circumstances and that is because we have such committed teams and partners whose objective was to support our residents, businesses and the most vulnerable in our community. We have taken the lessons learned from COVID as used them as an opportunity deliver services in different ways and work more flexibly to reflect need. 

 “I have been extremely proud to be the Council’s Chief Executive and lead such a dedicated and committed workforce and to work very closely with the elected members of the council who are also dedicated and passionate about the people and the place they serve. I am confident that the staff and members from Selby who were elected to North Yorkshire are in very strong position to take the new council forward and make a positive contribution to help shape the future unitary council.” 

 “I was also proud to be appointed as the Returning Officer for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Elections for York and North Yorkshire and the Returning Officer for Local Elections.”   

Councillor Mark Crane, leader of Selby District Council, said:  “Having worked with Janet in my capacity as council leader for six years I wish to record my thanks to a person who has delivered the Council’s priorities and worked extremely hard for the district. Janet’s professionalism and skill in implementing change meant that we were able to continue to provide all the front-line services when the budget from government was cut, this included being able to continue to provide a free green bin services to our residents the only council in North Yorkshire to do so. Janet demonstrated real commitment to the Better Together project with the County Council, developed new ways of working which delivered efficient and increased value for money for the taxpayer.  

 “Janet has a lot of knowledge and experience and has been a great ambassador for Selby and for public service. I am confident that whatever path Janet chooses to follow she will put her heart and soul into the task and will add real value. I wish Janet all the very best for her future and thank her for all she and her team have achieved for the residents and businesses of the Selby district.”