10.07.18
Council boss resigns after year of suspension over alleged misconduct
Article by Callum Wood of Public Sector Executive magazine
Cheshire’s East’s chief executive Mike Suarez, who was suspended in April last year by the council’s investigation and disciplinary committee (IDC) after allegations into misconduct, has resigned from his post.
The CEO was suspended for 12 months whilst chief operating officer Peter Bates was suspended last December. Worryingly, the councillor leading the investigation into the suspension was himself suspended in April this year for reportedly concerning behaviour.
The former boss refrained from giving reasons for his resignation, but told the Crewe Chronicle: “Setting aside my reasons, I just wanted to thank all those staff, residents, businesses, partners and town and parish and other councillors who have offered me their sincere support and well wishes over this period.
“I am very grateful to staff, residents and partners for their significant contributions over my time at Cheshire East.
“I was also very impressed with CEC staff and the recognised trade unions at Cheshire East and the way they were prepared to support the creation of new forms of service delivery, from Limited Companies to a Leisure Charity. These new arrangements helped to improve services and value for residents and ensured a strong, albeit different form of ‘going concern’, for the staff involved.”
Labour group leader Sam Corcoran told the Crewe Chronicle: “The resignation of the chief executive is good news for staff at Cheshire East Council in that it gives an opportunity to appoint a new permanent chief executive after a period of 15 months of uncertainty with a suspended CEO.”
Corcoran also claims that investigations and suspensions have cost the council more than £1m.
Suarez has held this position since August 2013.
Top image c. Cheshire East Council
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