24 May 2010
Peter Housden, the senior civil servant at the heart of the row over local government reorganisation, has been appointed to the top job at the Scottish Executive.
As permanent secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government, Housden had warned that moves by the previous government to turn Norwich and Exeter into single unitary authorities were likely to waste money. In leaked letters to ministers, he said the changes would ‘impact adversely on the financial position of the public sector’. The coalition government has reversed the policy.
On his appointment as permanent secretary at the Scottish Executive, which he starts in June, Housden said: ‘I am genuinely excited by the challenge. Scotland has its own government, a great sense of pride and ambition and a civil service of passion, achievement and integrity.
‘To be leaving the DCLG in these circumstances is a huge honour, but also a great wrench. I have tremendous regard for my colleagues in the department, and for our all partners and friends in public services and in civic society. In the four and a half years we have worked together, we have served communities to the very best of our ability.’
Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: ‘I am obviously sad to lose someone of such courageous leadership, who puts the interests of the department, and of the communities it serves, first.
‘Peter faces an exciting challenge in Scotland, and I wish him well.’
Housden has been replaced by Irene Lucas, previously director-general for local government and regeneration at the department. She joined the DCLG in September 2009, having been chief executive at South Tyneside council since 2002.
