Stella Manzie

Stella Manzie is in talks over her position as chief executive of Barking and Dagenham Council, it is now believed.

Yesterday there were reports in the media that Ms Manzie, who has been in her role for little more than a year, had left her job.

This has been denied by town hall chiefs but a source at the council told the Post today that she is currently “in negotiations” over her position.

Ms Manzie was appointed in March last year on a £150,000-a-year salary, taking over from acting chief executive David Woods.

Before Mr Woods the top post was held by Rob Whiteman, who left in May 2010.

A council spokesman said: “Reports circulating in some parts of the media state that the chief executive of the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, Stella Manzie, has left the council. This is not the case.

“We will not be commenting further at this time.”

Ms Manzie was formerly employed as chief executive of Coventry City Council and West Berkshire Council.

Immediately before joining Barking and Dagenham she had been the Scottish Government’s director general for justice and communities.

She was awarded a CBE for services to local government in 2007, and was a non-executive director at the Treasury between 2005 and 2008.