Truro City Council has appointed an interim town clerk to provide additional support for the authority while recruitment for a permanent appointment is carried out.  

David Rodda MBE, who joined the council on Monday, has over 20 years’ experience of economic development, grant delivery and town regeneration in Cornwall. Most recently he has been economic growth manager for Cornwall Council. 

Mr Rodda said: “I am looking forward to the opportunity of working with the team at Truro City Council to deliver their ambitious plans for the city.  

“I am confident that my background in economic policy, grant delivery and strategic development will stand me in good stead for the challenges and opportunities ahead.” 

The council has been without a permanent town clerk for several months, with the role being covered by other members of the senior management team.  The recruitment process has begun but is expected to take up to six months to complete, so councillors have unanimously approved plans for a temporary secondment to cover the role during this period.  

Truro mayor Cllr Carol Swain said Mr Rodda would bring a range of experience that would be extremely helpful in helping the council move forward on a number of urgent tasks and projects.  

“During the past few months, we have been managing the operation of the council with a depleted senior management structure,” she said. 

“Although the team has worked extremely hard to ensure that we have been able to continue to provide services to our local community, it would be both unfair and unreasonable to expect them to continue covering the role of town clerk for a further six months.”  

The secondment means Richard Budge, who has been the council’s acting proper officer during the town clerk’s absence, will return to his role as the council’s head of parks, amenities and facilities. 

The new deputy town clerk Esther Grieg, joined the council last week and has assumed the role of Responsible financial officer in addition to her other responsibilities.