Southampton City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Executive Director of Resident Services, Carol Maclellan, who started this week.

The Resident Services directorate includes housing, waste, fleet and city services, parking and traffic management. Other areas of responsibility include regulatory services, homelessness, and leisure. This directorate was created in 2024 to ensure that Southampton City Council delivers these critical services in a more cost-effective and efficient way.

Carol was previously the Service Director for Regulatory Services at Cornwall Council, having also been its Director of Regulatory & Waste Services. Having worked in local government for most of her career, Carol has been employed by Broadland District Council in Norwich, Bristol City Council, and Bath and North East Somerset Council. It was during her time at Broadland District Council that they implemented one of the country’s first kerbside recycling schemes.

Carol said: “I am really excited to join Southampton City Council as its new Executive Director for Resident Services. Southampton is a city full of opportunity with ambitious plans. I’m looking forward to working with colleagues to help make these plans a reality.”

Jillian Kay, Chief Executive of Southampton City Council, said:“I’m delighted that Carol has joined Southampton City Council, and I’m looking forward to working with her and the rest of our colleagues to achieve our aspirations for Southampton. I’m very grateful to Debbie Ward for all her hard work in establishing the new directorate last year and for staying with us until the end of July to maintain momentum in this important work.”

Councillor Alex Winning, Leader of Southampton City Council, said: “I’d like to give a warm welcome to Carol Maclellan. Our Resident Services directorate is responsible for a number of key services, and with Carol’s extensive experience, we will be able to build on the excellent work that has already been started by our previous Executive Director of Resident Services, Debbie Ward, and deliver the services that our residents deserve.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Debbie Ward for her dedication and commitment to improving these services.”