Warrington Council's veteran chief executive to retire
Warrington Borough Council's veteran chief executive is to retire after two separate terms totalling nearly 20 years.Prof Steven Broomhead will step down at the end of June.He was the local authority's chief executive from 1997 to 2003 and then took up the role again, initially on an interim basis, in 2012.Council leader Hans Mundry said Prof Broomhead had been an "outstanding servant" to the council and the town as a whole.
Prof Broomhead was formally appointed for a second time in 2013.From 2003 to 2010, he was the chief executive of the North West Regional Development Agency.Mundry said of the retiring chief executive: "He has helped to make Warrington one of the most business-friendly councils in the country, supporting our town's strong growth and regeneration agenda."I know his decision to retire is something he has been considering for some time."I am pleased that Steven will begin to put in place the right foundations as part of our improvement plan following the recent best-value inspection outcome, before taking his well-earned retirement."
'Concerns'
Prof Broomhead said: "I have enjoyed my various roles throughout my career, and have always been driven by principles of sustainable development, social justice and social value."Warrington Borough Council has many achievements past and present. The council has supported our town to be a good place to live, have a successful economy, have good community cohesion, and achieve consistently high educational attainment."Warrington Council is set to face government intervention after a report was commissioned by the previous government following concerns about the authority's levels of debt.The report, published earlier this month, said Warrington Council was failing to comply with its duties in relation to five areas, including leadership, culture and use of resources.
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