2004 Chief executive to leave troubled council – Local stories – Yorkshire Post

Chief executive to leave troubled council – Local stories – Yorkshire Post.

THE chief executive of a crisis-hit council branded one of the worst in the UK by inspectors has accepted early retirement from his £100,000-a-year job. Dave Mark

Senior members of North East Lincolnshire Council have agreed a financial package that allows Jim Leivers to go after four years in the top job, when the council is virtually bankrupt.

The 52-year-old has overseen some of the most traumatic times in the council’s history. The authority has been savaged by inspectors from the Audit Commission and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

In December 2002, the council was branded one of the worst-run in the country by independent inspectors. The council was recently given special permission to borrow 4.75m to prevent more job losses and protect services.

Last year the council was under the glare of the national media when it emerged that social services staff investigated complaints about child killer Ian Huntley’s involvement with underage girls five times between 1995 and 1998 – but failed to put together a pattern of behaviour.

And a week ago district auditor Dave Brumhead lambasted the financial mismanagement of the authority. Cabinet members decided a new face was needed at the top and at the special meeting last week they agreed on a financial package that would allow Mr Leivers to take early retirement. He has been off sick with flu since last Monday.

Mr Leivers released a statement at the weekend confirming his departure. He said: “It has been a privilege to work for this council – I have immensely enjoyed my time here. There have been really tough times, but also really good times.

“I have worked with a group of loyal and highly-committed staff who I will miss. In particular, I would like to thank the Leader, Keith Brookes, and the Deputy Leader, Andrew De Freitas, for my working relationship with them.

“The council now needs a change. I sincerely hope that, in my replacement, this community gets someone who can deliver opportunities and changes for the better.”

Tory leader of the council Keith Brookes, added: “With the appointment of a new management team and the urgent need to implement change and improvement, the time is right to find a new person to take on this role. We are grateful to Mr Leivers for all the efforts that he has made on behalf of the council during very difficult times.”

Mr Leivers has had a long career in local government and his appointment was seen as the dawning of a new age for the council. At the time, he was praised by senior officers for his “down-to-earth and practical attributes”.

In 2002, Mr Leivers narrowly missed out on the chief executive job at nearby Hull Council, with an annual salary of 130,000.

Following the departure of Hull Council chief executive Jim Brookes last year, that position is currently available once again.

The process to recruit Mr Leivers’ replacement will start immediately.

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