Sutton Council is set to appoint a new chief executive following the resignation of its previous boss Niall Bolger last year.

Helen Bailey, who was an interim chief executive at North Somerset Council up until January last month, is being recommended to full council on February 25 for the permanent role.

She will be joining the authority following a “long career in public service” as Mr Bolger quit to take up the same position at Hounslow Council in west London.

Ms Bailey will lead the borough’s corporate management team and take over from interim chief executive Mary Morrissey, who returns to her previous job.

She said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been offered the opportunity to become chief executive of Sutton.

“Over the years I have observed and admired the achievements of Sutton, and it is a particular privilege to take up the reins when the borough is on the brink of some exciting developments.

“I continue to be impressed by everyone I have met and by the dedication of colleagues, councillors and partners.

“I am very much looking forward to getting to know the whole borough better.”

The decision to recommend Ms Bailey was made at the council’s senior officer appointment committee earlier this month on February 4.

She emerged as the preferred candidate after a “robust” selection process led by the committee, which comprised councillors from both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties.

Since then, both parties’ leaders have endorsed the appointment.

Cllr Ruth Dombey, the council’s leader, said: “Helen’s experience, breadth of knowledge and insight into the public sector will serve Sutton well over the coming years. We have ambitious plans for the future and with Helen’s help we’ll now make them a reality.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank Mary [Morrissey] for her interim stewardship of the council over the past few months. Her experience and knowledge of the borough provided stability during a period of change.”

Cllr Tim Crowley, the council’s opposition leader, said: “We consider Helen is the right person to help us take Sutton forward, and look forward to working with her in the same open and transparent manner as we worked with her predecessors.”