SHEILA Wheeler was confirmed as the new chief executive for Somerset County Council at a full council meeting on Wednesday.

She takes over from Alan Jones who retired in July after new leader Ken Maddock said he wanted “a change in direction with a new set of priorities.

Sheila Wheeler was previously chief executive of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council which under her guidance moved from being assessed by the Government as ‘weak’ to one that is now ranked as ‘excellent’.

Previously she worked in local government for Adur District Council, Surrey County Council and the London Borough of Hounslow. Her time at Surrey also included a secondment to central government.

Ken Maddock, leader of Somerset council, said: “We are confident that we have a really strong candidate for one of the most important and demanding jobs in local government.

“Somerset County Council has to change to serve our residents better, yet we are likely to have more limited resources available to us.

“I am sure Sheila will be a key driver in helping identify and deliver the changes we need to make.”