On Air Now

Mill About Mix

8:00pm - 10:00pm

Now Playing

Guns N' Roses

November Rain (Edit)

Listen Live Watch

Rochdale council to begin search for new chief executive

Monday, 23 February 2026 16:22

By David Murphy

Rochdale Council is set to launch a recruitment process for a new chief executive following the resignation of James Binks at the end of last year.

A report due before full council on Wednesday 25 February 2026 outlines plans to begin a formal appointment process for the authority’s most senior officer.

Julie Murphy, director of corporate services, was appointed interim chief executive on 17 December 2025 for an initial six month period. Mr Binks resigned on 31 December 2025.

The council is legally required to designate one of its officers as Head of Paid Service under Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The function is carried out by the chief executive.

The report states that recruitment should begin over the coming months to allow sufficient time for what it describes as a robust process to attract high quality candidates. Any preferred candidate identified by the Chief Officer Employment Committee would need to be formally approved by full council in line with the authority’s constitution.

Alongside leading the council, the chief executive also serves as the borough’s Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer.

Since July 2022, the post holder has also carried out the role of NHS Greater Manchester Place Based Lead for the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale locality, supporting integration between health and social care services. That responsibility is currently being undertaken on an interim basis by the director of integrated care and health. The report confirms the permanent appointee will assume the NHS role in addition to council duties, subject to approval by the appropriate NHS body.

Council leader Neil Emmott, who has brought forward the report, states that appointing a suitable candidate is essential to maintain effective leadership across the authority and the wider locality partnership.

The report recommends that councillors approve the start of the recruitment process in line with the council’s framework and agree that Julie Murphy remains in post until a permanent chief executive is appointed.

Salary costs for the role will be met from within the existing approved staffing budget.

If approved, detailed recruitment arrangements and timescales will be developed in the coming months.

Share

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • Mill About Mix

    8:00pm - 10:00pm

    with Alison and the team from Mill About playing all of their favourite hits.

  • The Graveyard Shift

    10:00pm - Midnight

    with Gemma Johnson, as she explores the strange, unusual and down right spooky. Featuring a midnight ghost story from the darkest depths of the graveyard.

  • After Hours

    Midnight - 2:00am

    For the night owls, night workers and everyone still going while the rest of the town sleeps. Music, chat and company after dark.

  • Wide Awake Club

    2:00am - 5:00am

    For those who find themselves awake at 3am more often than they’d like. Calm music, understanding voices and quiet company.

  • Up Before the Alarm

    5:00am - 7:00am

    for early starters, commuters and anyone already on their second brew. Livelier music and new voices warming things up before breakfast.

  • Thursday Breakfast

    7:00am - 10:00am

    getting you out of bed and to work and school with great music and headlines.

Roch Valley Radio is a not-for-profit radio station serving Bury and Rochdale including the surrounding areas on DAB, your Smart Speakers and Online.

© Copyright 2026 Roch Valley Radio CIC. Powered by Aiir.