New boss for troubled authority

A new chief executive has been appointed to run East Lindsey District Council six months after its three top executives resigned amid controversy.

Nigel Howells is due to take up the post in the new year.

Officials at East Lindsey say they hope the appointment will bring to an end a turbulent time for the authority.

It was branded "weak" by an Audit Commission report which led to previous chief executive Paul Haigh and two other executives taking retiring early.

Mr Howells is currently chief executive of a health trust in Maidstone and has previously held the top job at two other district councils.