Latest news with #NickIreland
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Applications flood in for 200k top job at council
Dorset Council says there has been a large number of inquiries about the Chief Executive role it advertised for which could pay up to £200,000. "We've had a huge amount of interest. I've spoken to fifteen prospective candidates so far; there are a lot more; and there's a lot more completed applications," said council leader, Nick Ireland. The position is to replace existing post-holder, Matt Prosser, who is moving to New Zealand later in the year to take up the chief officer post at Wellington City Council. Of those he has spoken to, Cllr Ireland said, "many had great skills and some may end up on the short list". Speaking on the recruitment process, the council leader also said that they had saved around £50k by running it in-house, "rather than go out to specialist recruiters as has happened previously". It is likely that an interim chief executive officer will be appointed once Mr Prosser leaves the council. Applications close on the 23 February at 23:59 GMT. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Advert for £200k role as new council chief executive English chief executive appointed to lead NZ council Dorset Council
BBC News
08-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Jurassic Coast Trust to shut over commercial and cost worries
The charity set up to conserve and promote the Jurassic Coast is to close down, it has Jurassic Coast Trust (JCT) said it assessed its commercial activities and the effects of rising costs and concluded it was "unviable" to of the Dorset and East Devon coast's World Heritage site status will move into the control of Dorset Council and Devon County charity announced in February 2024 that it hoped to build a museum and visitor centre in Weymouth but its former chief executive left in the autumn. The JCT's current interim chief executive, Luke Rake, said its trustees remain committed to ensuring that the Jurassic Coast's World Heritage status is maintained."The Jurassic Coast is the only natural World Heritage site in England and rightly deserves its recognition as being of international significance," he said."Sadly, despite excellent work of the staff in promoting the benefits and palaeontology of the area, and productive partnerships with research universities, local museums and businesses, the financial position of the trust means it is unviable to continue in its current form." Dorset Council's leader Nick Ireland said the JCT and local authorities were working to ensure a "smooth transition of the World Heritage site back to both councils."Andrea Davis, Devon County Council's deputy leader, said both authorities have a "strong working relationship"."I'm certain that together we can build on the work of the trust to focus on improving education and awareness of the Jurassic Coast's prestigious status and we will ensure that this unique stretch of coastline is looked after for future generations," she spectacular Jurassic Coast extends for 95 miles (150km) along the Dorset and East Devon coastline and was given Unesco World Heritage status in 2001 in recognition of its geological importance. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bye bye Bibby Stockholm - departure welcomed in Dorset
As news emerged on Thursday that tugboats were taking the Bibby Stockholm out of UK waters, the tagline "Bye bye Bibby" started popping up on social media - but how do people in the Dorset town where it was moored feel about its departure? The controversial vessel, which was used to house hundreds of asylum seekers while their applications were processed, left Portland Portland after the last men on board were taken off in November. Dorset Council leader Nick Ireland, who described the barge as being "imposed" on the area, told the BBC he had not been informed it left when it did. "I don't think anybody in the Weymouth and Portland area wanted it here," he added. The Bibby Stockholm first arrived in Dorset in July 2023. Its departure means the contract between the Home Office and Portland Port has expired and the barge is being returned to its owners, Bibby Marine. It is not clear where it will go next or what it will be used for. It housed just under 500 men and during its time on the south coast sparked multiple protests and campaigns. Mr Ireland said he hoped funding from the Home Office to support the local community during the barge's stay could be retained. He said: "We had a great response from the people of Portland and the surrounding areas, a load of community groups set up to provide activities, resources and support the residents on the barge. "It was great to see the humanity and compassion that our local population have, so it would be great if we can keep some of that money and invest it in the local community.... that's one of the things on my list to find out." Mr Ireland admitted the Bibby Stockholm exposed "divisions" among locals, but also "attracted some undesirables to the local area". "A lot of the issues we had were actually generated by people who came to agitate, but I think we can look back on it positively," he said. "We didn't have a riot in Weymouth, it didn't kick off to that extent. "Some people got arrested, police got assaulted which is unacceptable, and it's regrettable that happened, but in the end it was imposed on us and we've dealt with it as best we can, and I think we did pretty well to be honest." Geoff Moore, a photographer based in Portland, captured images of the barge's departure. "People are really pleased that it's actually gone," he said. "It's been a negative for Portland and the area around here." The cameraman said it was "interesting" to watch the vessel depart. "There was no great jubilation in the streets because people didn't know it was actually happening," he said. BBC reporter Sophie Cridland said she could "sense some relief" from residents on Friday morning. She said the people she had spoken to were "glad to see the back of the barge and the trouble it's caused". She added: "Also checking social media I can see people are sharing posts with the phrase 'Bye bye Bibby' with a picture of the barge leaving the waters of Portland, which I would say is the end of the final chapter of the Bibby Stockholm's journey here." But Patricia Roseanne Wilson said she would miss some of the barge's residents "because they integrated into the island quite well". "Certainly the cricket club will miss them," she added. "Hopefully they'll either go on to better things or some of them will go home… unfortunately I don't think the barge created many employment opportunities locally." And Mark Pittaway called the barge "much ado about nothing". "We thought it was going to have a serious adverse impact and in truth it didn't really, in fact it probably did more good than harm in the end." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. What legacy will Bibby Stockholm leave as public funding stops? Bibby Stockholm: The journey of the asylum barge Final asylum seeker leaves Bibby Stockholm Bibby Stockholm migrant barge to be closed Bibby Stockholm migrants protest against 'claim delays' Asylum seeker on Bibby Stockholm barge dies Asylum seekers warned over failure to board barge Protesters gather ahead of migrant barge arrival Barge for 500 migrants towed to port for refit Asylum seeker barge plan could face legal challenge Asylum seeker barge seen leaving port
