THE chief executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council is retiring after 32 years of service in the public sector.

Gerald Meehan will retire from his role at the council at the end of March.

Cllr Samantha Dixon, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Gerald has done an extraordinarily good job since taking up his appointment as chief executive in the middle of 2016.

“He has led the delivery of the council’s strategic vision, priorities and outcomes. He has created a strong leadership team and laid firm foundations to make sure the council continues to be strong and delivers for the residents of our borough.

“This is sad news for me as the Leader of the Council and for the wider leadership team but all of us at Cheshire West and Chester Council wish Gerald health and happiness in his retirement.”

Gerald joined Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2011 as Strategic Director for Children and Families Services, which was a joint role with Halton Council. Before this he held senior roles in Avon and Bristol, Liverpool, St Helens, Wigan and Halton.

He has been off since Christmas recovering from an unexpected health condition. In his absence his duties have been shared between the Council’s two Deputy Chief Executives, Charlie Seward and Delyth Curtis, and the Chief Operating Officer Mark Wynn.

The process will now begin to recruit a new chief executive.