A CHIEF executive has been appointed for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Amanda Skelton, who is South Tyneside Council's executive director of neighbourhood services, will take over the reins in the new year.

Ms Skelton will succeed Colin Moore, who is retiring in December after eight years in the role.

She said: "I am delighted to be joining the team in Redcar and Cleveland.

"I am looking forward to working with people in the borough to provide the kind of services they want to see and help them to build a happy, prosperous community."

Ms Skelton, 46, has been executive director at South Tyneside for five years, with responsibilities for services including adult social care, planning, transport and housing plus community and cultural services.

While at South Tyneside, she helped the authority move from being rated fair, in the Government's Comprehensive Performance Assessment, to excellent. The authority is now one of only ten nationally to be classed as "four-star, improving strongly".

Ms Skelton previously worked for City of Sunderland Council, Newcastle City Council and Salford Council before arriving in South Tyneside.

Her appointment will be made official at a meeting of the full council on Friday.

Council leader Councillor George Dunning, said: "I am delighted to welcome Amanda to Redcar and Cleveland. Amanda has an excellent track record and I am sure she will be a credit, not only to our borough, but to the Tees Valley and the North-East area as a whole."

Redcar MP Vera Baird said: "I am confident that Ms Skelton will provide the strong leadership that our local authority needs to deliver the high-quality public services that the people of Redcar and Cleveland demand from their council."