20 June 2008

BRIAN SMITH BECOMES CSS PRESIDENT

Brian Smith has taken over as President of the influential CSS, which represents local authority strategic directors handling transport, waste management, environment, planning, energy and economic development issues.

As Deputy Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council, he currently oversees the work of the varied and award winning work of the Office of Environment and Community Services at Cambridgeshire County Council.

Brian took on the role as President of the CSS at its General Meeting in London today (20 June 2008). He succeeded Lincolnshire County Council’s Richard Wills.  

CSS, which has developed from the former County Surveyors’ Society, represents local authority senior officers from across the country. Membership is drawn from all four corners of the United Kingdom into a single national partnership. 

Speaking about his appointment, Brian said: “I am very honoured to have the opportunity to lead the Society. The Society has a deserved good reputation with many parts of Government and other organisations, and one of my ambitions, working with society members, will be to enhance and extend this, in respect of both our technical input and strategic advice.”

Some of the earlier major pieces of work undertaken by the CSS include assisting in the development of the motorway network in the UK, the development of national standards and the sharing of best practice. Today, the CSS is a centre of technical expertise with its members ensuring that much of the nation’s vital infrastructure is managed, maintained and constantly improved.

Brian has been a member of the CSS for 12 years. During this time, he was the CSS nomination to and chaired the National Travelwise Association for three years. He has also chaired the CSS Transport Committee, during which time he played a key role in shaping what is now the Traffic Management Act and Government work on local transport plans and related indicators. He has also chaired the Government’s Network Management Board for the last three years and has been a vice president of the Society in the two years prior to taking the Presidency.

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Media contact  

Susan Tolman, Daybreak Communications office 0845 644 3845; mobile 07786 543430; susan.tolman@daybreakcomm.co.uk 

Notes to editors

• CSS represents local authority chief officers who manage some of the most pressing issues facing the UK today. Membership is drawn from all four corners of the United Kingdom with members responsible for three-quarters of the road network, two thirds of the land area and just under half of the population of England and Wales. Operating at the strategic tier of local government, they are closely involved in crucial transport, waste management, environment, planning, energy and economic development issues.