Ex-Tower Hamlets chief gets new job as council votes in new boss

Published: 1:00 AM October 16, 2009 Updated: 8:15 AM October 14, 2020

As a new Town Hall chief is voted in the council's former chief executive gets a job at another borough, only two months after leaving Tower Hamlets. Kevan Collins was formally by councillors

By Else Kvist

As a new Town Hall chief is voted in the council's former chief executive gets a job at another borough, only two months after leaving Tower Hamlets.

Kevan Collins was formally approved as chief executive at Tower Hamlets, a job carrying a yearly salary of �190,000, at this week's full council meeting.

Mr Collins had been acting chief executive since Martin Smith's controversial departure. Mr Smith accepted a settlement of over �300,000 following negotiations between the council and his union. Council leader Lutfur Rahman later announced a "new approach" across services was needed at Tower Hamlets.

But this morning the Advertiser has learned that Mr Smith has been appointed chief executive by Ealing Council.

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Deputy leader to the Tory opposition Tim Archer said: "It's ironic, as we appoint a new chief executive Martin gets a job with another council. Ealing obviously thinks he's a good chief executive. Don't get me wrong Kevan Collins is a good chief executive as well. But the council spent all that money on Martin's pay-out."

It is understood the two councils had been competing for applicants during the recruitment process for a new chief executive.