Eden District Council’s Chief Executive, Kevin Douglas is to retire from his post at the end of March 2011.

He has been with the council for three and a half years after joining the authority from Harrogate Borough Council in July 2007.

“My time with Eden District Council has been challenging, but I have been fortunate to work with dedicated and professional staff and Councillors which ensured the Council were able to respond to whatever was thrown at us” said Kevin Douglas.

“With local elections in May I felt it was the right time for me to stand down and allow my successor to work with the new Council to continue to address the difficult issues facing the Council and the area as a whole.”

Councillor Gordon Nicolson, Leader of Eden District Council said: “Kevin has been our Chief Officer through some of the most testing times for Local Authorities. He has worked hard to serve the interests of the residents and support Members of the Council. His role in setting up the Multi Agency Task Group for the Appleby Fair is widely acknowledged and he is leading the Council through the difficult task of coping with much reduced income and getting the New Squares project back on the road.

“I am sure that Members and staff of the Council will join me in wishing Kevin a long and happy retirement.”

There will be a Special Full Council meeting on 16 December when the process for appointing a successor will be discussed as part of the proposed Transformation Programme to prepare the Council to restructure to meet future challenges. For more information about Eden District Council visit www.eden.gov.uk