17.01.18
CEO who helped make council a ‘financial success’ to leave after seven years
The chief executive of Eden District Council is set to leave the authority after seven years in his position.
Dr Robin Hooper will leave in May this year following a period in which he turned around the economic state of the council, steering it to “financial success.”
Initially appointed on an interim basis, Hooper was offered a permanent role within the Cumbria authority after initially putting measures in place to solve the council’s financial difficulties.
The council will now look to create a report on potential new chief executives, expected to be completed and go before members on 15 February 2018.
Hooper said he had “thoroughly enjoyed” his time at the authority and thanked his colleagues for their support.
“Having put in place measures to resolve the various matters during 2011, the council invited me to remain as chief executive,” he explained.
“I certainly did not believe that I would still be here some seven years later. Over recent months, I have been considering what I would like to be involved with in the future.
“Having previously been involved in many major public and private schemes and helped turn around failing public bodies/authorities etc, I would like to create capacity in my life to be able to do more of this.”
Responding to the news, Eden District Council leader, Cllr Kevin Beaty, commented: “Seven years ago Eden District Council faced a huge financial challenge. The Council had a deficit budget and was facing government cuts to help balance the nation’s budget.
“Dr Robin Hooper was employed by the Council – which was then led by Cllr Gordon Nicolson – for a nine-month period to help the organisation through a very difficult time of reorganisation.
“Dr Hooper was persuaded to stay on to implement the changes proposed and steer the council towards a solid financial future. During those seven years, with Dr Hooper’s help and experience, Eden District Council has become a financial success while making no cuts to its services.”