THE first chairman of the new NHS Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus partnership has been named.

NHS Blackburn with Darwen has announced the appointment in principle of Sir Bill Taylor to head the Care Trust Plus.

The organisation is a new initiative between NHS Blackburn with Darwen and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council based on the planning and buying of health and social care services.

Sir Bill, who writes a blog for the Lancashire Telegraph, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this brand new role.”

The former leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council will be responsible for setting up a board that will take over the duties of the current primary care trust board.

Sir Bill has been appointed to serve as chairman for four years until March 2014 and will be paid £34,152 per year.

Subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, the Care Trust Plus will be operational from April.