Herefordshire Council's chief executive has stood down, weeks after the authority was rocked by a damning report into procurement contracts. Neil Pringle brought forward his original decision to retire in February, and left on Friday. Successor, Chris Bull, started his new role as the country's first joint chief executive of a council and a primary care trust on Monday. In a statement, the council said Mr Pringle ‘accepted overall responsibility as chief executive for the key messages' in the recent Crookhall report, which examined how contracts were awarded by its ICT division. ‘The council is indebted to the chief executive for the responsible way in which he had addressed the issue,' said a council spokesman. ‘Media reports of a settlement of multiples of annual salary are irresponsible, and completely without foundation.' Robin Hooper, the Shrewsbury and Atcham chief executive who spearheaded the original legal battle against reorganisation, has announced he is leaving at Christmas. Deputy chief executive, Geraint Morgan, will taking over running of the council until a new authority is formed in April 2009. Waveney DC chief executive, Glen Garrod, has left by mutual consent. Mr Garrod was appointed in March 2005, having previously been a strategic director at the Isle of Wight Council. ‘I am naturally disappointed to be leaving but, having spoken at considerable length with the leader, agree that it is in the best interests of the authority, and myself, to do so,' said Mr Garrod. Richmondshire DC's plans to share a chief executive with Hambleton DC have moved a step forward. A full council meeting will be held on 18 December to take a final decision on the plans.
