By Alan Irving

Last updated 16:08, Wednesday, 03 September 2008

COPELAND Council has appointed a new “quality of life” chief – but the position is not permanent.

Long-serving Keith Parker, 48, has been handed the job of acting corporate director for Quality of Life after taking a leading role in enforcing the council’s policy for environmental clean up.

Recently, he was a key figure when the local authority took a Mirehouse man to court for overfilling his refuse bin. This was in his role as head of leisure, environmental and customer services including revenues and benefits.

“Keith has risen through the ranks,” said a council spokesman. “He has been at Copeland since 1990 when he joined as horticultural services client officer.”

Mr Parker takes over the temporary quality of life post from Terry Chilcott who has retired.

But the post will be changed to Corporate Director for Services and Performance, for which the council is already recruiting and expects to fill it early in the New Year.

Meanwhile, Cath Coombs becomes acting head of leisure and environmental services. This covers waste, parks, open spaces, bereavement services, enforcement, cultural services and environmental health. She was latterly cultural services manager.