Lancashire County Council's new chief executive given the thumbs up by members

County councillors voted unanimously - and without debate - to approve his appointment at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old had been recommended for the role by the authority’s cross-party employment committee earlier this month.

He had been doing the job on a temporary basis since last August, following the departure of Angie Ridgwell after a six-and-a-half-year stint.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously revealed, Mr. Wynn will continue to discharge his existing duty of chief finance officer - officially known as the ‘section 151 officer’ - but only until a new person is appointed to that role.

Ms. Ridgwell had fulfilled both positions for the first five years of her tenure.

Mr. Wynn joined the county council as executive director of resources in April 2023.

Alan Vincent, the deputy leader of the Conservative-run authority, told the meeting the new boss was “an excellent choice” for the top job, which comes with a salary of almost £237,000. Labour’s deputy opposition group leader Jennifer Mein also welcomed Mr. Wynn to his post.

The chief executive received a round of applause as he took his seat at the top table in the chamber ahead of the annual budget meeting.

Speaking following the recommendation of the employment committee, Mark Wynn said: “I have always been passionate about local government and improving outcomes for both residents and businesses – and it is important to me that we deliver high quality services while also looking to innovate and improve what we do.

“It is no secret that this is a demanding time for local government as a whole with many challenges ahead, but I am pleased to say that the council is in an extremely good position to deliver its ambitious vision for the future detailed in our newly launched council plan.”