Council chief's departure 'bad timing' for borough

THE departure of council chief executive Tony Hunter is "bad timing" for the authority, opposition councillors have claimed.

As reported on www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk yesterday, Mr Hunter will be leaving North East Lincolnshire Council in January to take up the post of chief executive at the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in London.

Members of the three opposition groups all expressed concern about the timing of the announcement, which comes with the authority undergoing a major restructuring process.

Former council leader Andrew De Freitas said the timing was "appalling", given the recent departure of deputy chief executive Liz Jones.

However, Mr Hunter insisted that he was leaving the council in good hands, and that he was confident the borough would go from strength to strength.

And council leader Chris Shaw insisted that the handover to Mr Hunter's successor – who has not yet been identified – would be carried out in a smooth and timely manner.

Councillor De Freitas, the Liberal Democrat group leader who worked alongside Mr Hunter as leader between 2008 and 2011, said: "This comes as a shock bearing in mind his deputy chief executive was made redundant at the end of last month. It will leave the authority in a very difficult situation because there is now some uncertainty. The timing is appalling and I feel very strongly that we should not have got rid of Liz Jones."

Acting Conservative group leader Margaret Cracknell was unavailable for comment, but her colleague John Fenty said: "Tony Hunter is not only the chief executive of the council but a good friend of mine and from that point of view it is very disappointing.

"In terms of his role we are part way through an upheaval in terms of reshaping the council and I think the timing could have been better, but we understand the reason for it and we wish Tony all the best."

Councillor Ron Shepherd, leader of the UKIP group, said: "The timing is certainly bad for the borough, especially considering the administrative upheaval that we are currently facing. But as far as his role with the council is concerned he has done a pretty decent job."

Councillor Shaw said: "Tony has provided first class advice and support to both myself and colleagues since 2008 and is held in high esteem both in North East Lincolnshire and well beyond our boundaries.

"He has been passionate about promoting the area's resurgence and has put in place a range of measures which augur well for a bright future here. He has helped develop our stronger economy and stronger communities agenda and we wish him well for the future in his new role.

"Tony will be here until Christmas so we have got time to deal with things. It is well documented that this is a well-run authority."

Mr Hunter said: "The truth is there's never a good time to move on. The council has many great people and I've no doubt that, working alongside our people, communities and businesses, North East Lincolnshire will go from strength to strength."