Council appoints education director

BRIDGEND County Borough Council has appointed a permanent director of education.

Lindsay Harvey who had been the interim education director at the local authority since early 2017 has been appointed to the position.

At a full council meeting on Wednesday, September 19, council leader Huw David congratulated Mr Harvey on his appointment.

In addition to taking responsibility for education and schools across the county, the role also includes developing the council’s early help services with a focus on integration with children’s social care and supporting the development of the multi-agency safeguarding hub.

Bridgend council’s previous director Deborah McMillan left for a secondment with the Welsh Government in early 2017, advising the cabinet secretary on education matters.

She has since been appointed as the children’s commissioner for Jersey. At a full council meeting in July, the chief executive of Bridgend council, Darren Mepham, told councillors the local authority was looking at developing a combined education service with Merthyr Tydfil council.

He said should a business case be agreed, the combined education service would be developed but the new appointment was a Bridgend appointment.

Before joining Bridgend council, Mr Harvey was the chief education officer at Swansea council.