Deputy chief executive at the LGA, John Ransford, has announced he is to retire in the spring, after 40 years in local government. Mr Ransford, 60, a columnist for The MJ, has spent the last 10 years at the LGA in various senior positions. ‘It is time to do something different,' he said. ‘I can't put my feet up. I am no good at decorating, gardening or golf. I won't abandon local government completely.' Looking back at the last 10 years at the LGA, Mr Ransford summed up: ‘I think we have made a difference. Councils are in a much stronger position now. We have shown that a centralised system doesn't work but local solutions do.' He added: ‘It is time for someone younger and fresher with more recent experience of local government. My career has been good and rewarding to me and I am very pleased about it.' Mr Ransford started his local government career in south-east London before moving on to Kirklees MBC, where he worked in social services before becoming chief executive. He then went on to North Yorkshire CC for 10 years as director of social services and later became chief executive.