01.02.19
Sefton Council CEO to retire after over 40 years in local government
The chief executive of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) has announced she will retire after 10 years in the role.
Margaret Carney, who is set to retire on 31 May, said the decision had been the most difficult decision in her career – but noted that it was the right opportunity to pass the role on to develop the council further.
Severe funding cuts has led SMBC to cut its staff levels by more than a quarter over the past decade as the authority looked to make savings across all services. However, the council was praised by the LGA earlier this year for serving its community through a “challenging period of austerity” and listening to the community.
She said: “It has been an absolute privilege working with such hardworking, committed and passionate staff, councillors and partners over probably the most challenging period ever for local government and public services.
“I have loved working in Sefton despite the cuts. Not only is it where I work, it is also my home and I have seen first-hand how tirelessly and compassionately staff and councillors have worked to support our communities at a time of great uncertainty and worry.”
In a local government career spanning for more than 40 years, Carney held senior executive positions at Knowsley, Warrington, and Rochdale councils before joining SMBC.
Sefton Council will begin the search for a new chief executive immediately.
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