A panel of Hartlepool Council members has recommended the appointment of Nicola Bailey as new acting chief executive and head of paid service, to replace Paul Walker, who retires at the end of August.

Mrs Bailey is currently director of child and adult services, and has worked for Hartlepool Council for six years. She joined the authority in 2005 from Redcar and Cleveland Council, as director of adult and community services, and in August 2009, was appointed director of child and adult services when a restructure saw departments reduce from five to three.