TWO new directors have been appointed in a major shake-up at a Teesside council.

Ann Baxter will become corporate director of children, education and social care at Stockton Borough Council.

Neil Schneider will be the new director of development and neighbourhood services.

The appointment of Ms Baxter comes as a result of the Government's forthcoming Children's Act. The act requires each council to appoint a single director responsible for all services relating to education, health and social care for young people. It has not been revealed how much Ms Baxter will be paid but the post is being advertised for £95,000 or more at other local authorities.

Ms Baxter said: "This will be an exciting time of change and integration, transforming services within a new overall framework for all children and young people in the borough."

The creation of the new development and neighbourhood services grouping also brings together a range of services, including urban regeneration, housing, transport and community protection.

Mr Schneider said: "There will be fantastic opportunities and I am looking forward to making it both challenging and enjoyable for all involved. It will provide for greater and closer integrated working and it will provide a platform for a real customer focus for our services."

Ms Baxter has worked in local government for 26 years and came to Stockton in 1996. She was first appointed a director in 1999.

Mr Schneider has been at Stockton for 18 years after previously working at Middlesbrough Borough Council.

Both appointments are effective from the new year.