To consider any other business that the Chair accepts as being urgent.

The Chief Executive informed the Cabinet that it was his intention to retire as Chief Executive on 31 December 2014 and that he had tendered his notice to that effect.  He told Cabinet Members that when he had taken up the post he had felt very strongly that his role was to help shape the transformation of Wirral, and to focus on and move forward some very challenging difficulties that had arisen. The Chief Executive informed that he was now satisfied that the time had come to hand over to someone else who could take a more long-term role in moving the authority forward.

The Chief Executive also informed the Cabinet that when he had joined the authority, his intention had been to stay for around two years. By the time he left, he would have been here longer, both in a permanent and in an interim role.  Nevertheless, this had been a very difficult decision for him to make, but with the Corporate Plan agreed and the Budget set to be resolved just before he left it felt like the right time to go.

At the time the Chief Executive joined the authority, the Council had been facing the biggest challenge in its history, after a series of external reports had highlighted major weaknesses.  The considerable progress made since then towards stabilising the Council, and making it a more modern, responsive, organisation could not be underestimated. Working with partners there now was a strong, clear ambition for Wirral and for the Council itself.

The Chief Executive reported that during his time at Wirral, the authority had been selected as one of nine authorities to participate in the Public Service Transformation Network, and its improvement had been hailed as the fastest turnaround of any Council in the country.  It was now held up by the Local Government Association as an example of best practice. In addition, an independent ‘value for money’ report by auditors Grant Thornton had found that Wirral had made ‘significant progress’ in managing the financial risks and challenges it faces.

It was noted that the authority would continue to have difficult decisions to make, in terms of addressing cuts to local authority budgets but the Chief Executive was confident that because of the strong commitment of staff in Wirral to public service, the Council would continue to move forward and provide good quality services. He appreciated the Cabinet’s hard work, co-operation, and effort, and thanked Members for continuing to give their best in challenging times.

The Chief Executive informed that he had enjoyed the opportunity to work with the organisations and communities that made Wirral a special place, and that he would continue to take a strong interest in the borough’s future.  He thanked the people he had worked with, including residents, Councillors, and staff.  He told Cabinet Members that there were many excellent people working for Wirral and wished them all every success as they took the authority forward.

The Leader responded to the Chief Executive on behalf of the Cabinet agreeing that the Council had moved forward significantly since he had taken up his post.  He was sorry that the Chief Executive was leaving.  He thanked him for his hard work and wished him well in his retirement.