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Bury MBC chief executive, Mark Sanders, has announced he will retire in the new year after almost 10 years in post. His resignation will be followed by a restructure of the senior team at the council, and a transformation programme to cut costs and meet the financial challenges ahead. The current structure of five directors will be cut to two, and the council has already made clear it will not be advertising the post of chief executive externally. The posts of deputy chief executive, assistant chief executive director of finance and e-government, director of legal and democratic services, and director of personnel will instead be replaced by a deputy chief executive and a director of resources. The chief executive's department has been asked to save £500,000 in the 2011/12 financial year. Local newspaper reports claim Mr Sanders is stepping down as part of the efficiency measures to save his £193,000 pay package – which includes his pension. Third-tier management in the chief executive's department will also shrink from 17 to 12. Bury has also entered into negotiations with trade unions over a proposed Christmas closure at the council, which will see staff take three days unpaid leave. Staff who have to work over Christmas will be asked to take the same amount of unpaid leave at another point in the year. Mr Sanders said: ‘I have chosen to retire from my position to pursue personal and professional opportunities, and to make some contribution to the financial savings the authority will be required to make in the years to come.' He added: ‘This has been an incredibly difficult decision for me to take, and something which I have not taken lightly – or in haste.'

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WHITEHALL

Bury shake-up will see chief bow out

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