Cheshire East Council Appoints Paul Walker as Interim Chief Executive
Cheshire East Council appointed Paul Walker as interim chief executive at a day rate of £1,500 to stabilize leadership following a June resignation.
The Cheshire East Council appointed Paul Walker as interim chief executive on October 14, 2026, with his tenure beginning October 19. The appointment was approved by a council vote of 39 in favor, 19 abstentions, and five against. Walker, who previously served as chief executive of Herefordshire Council and Copeland Borough Council, succeeds Helen Charlesworth-May, who had performed the duties since May 2026.
Walker's appointment comes at a day rate of £1,500, a detail that sparked criticism from council members who questioned a lack of transparency after the pay rate was omitted from initial agenda papers and press releases. The interim role fills a vacancy left by Rob Polkinghorne, who resigned in June 2026. Council leaders Nick Mannion and Michael Gorman stated that Walker's experience in transformation and strategic capital projects is essential for the council's efficiency and its integration into the new Cheshire & Warrington Combined Authority.
Simultaneously, the council is seeking approval to increase the salary range for its next permanent chief executive to between £200,000 and £230,000. Benchmarking indicated the previous range of £196,000 to £199,999 was not competitive enough to attract skilled candidates. Including benefits, the total annual cost could reach £303,833, exceeding the budgeted £261,827. The council intends to absorb these costs through the chief executive's office and the wider authority, with a permanent hire expected by spring 2027.
