KCC chief executive to stand down
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by political editor Paul
Francis
Peter Gilroy is to leave Kent County Council as its chief
executive next May.
Mr Gilroy announced his plans to leave one of the top jobs in
local government to staff on Tuesday. In a letter to
staff, he said it was the end of an era and that "there was
something special about Kent."
He added: "My career started in voluntary work and I will
probably go back to that at some point. It has been a tremendous
journey and I want to thank the many, many colleagues who have
worked with me to transform services for the people of Kent.
"I will have been in Kent for nineteen years, so for me it
really will be the end of an era. As an authority, Kent has always
been outward looking – international as well as local. I am very
proud of what we have achieved together over the last five years I
have been Chief Executive."
Mr Gilroy, who succeeded Mike Pitt in 2005, has led the county
council over one of its most successful periods during which it
cemented its reputation as one of the country’s best-performing
authorities.
But he also attracted his share of negative headlines when his
six-figure salary became known and the council introduced its
controversial £1.4m internet TV station, Kent
TV.
Paul Carter said: "Kent and Kent County
Council owe an enormous indebtedness to Peter Gilroy. He
pioneered the transformation of social care, not just in Kent but
in the whole country - the agenda being personalisation and
independence for elderly and vulnerable people.
"I look forward to working with Peter over the
next few months which will be challenging times for us all against
the backdrop of doing more with less money."
His departure comes after a career in local government that has
spanned more than 30 years and began when he joined Devon county
council as a social worker in 1976.
Mr Gilroy joined KCC as a senior assistant social services
director from East Sussex in 1991 and led the social services
directorate for eight years until being appointed chief executive
in 2005.
During his time as social services director, Kent was in the
frontline as the UK dealt with the challenge of dealing with a
major influx of asylum seekers, an issue that brought the county
national attention.
As chief executive he was also instrumental in the
authority’s efforts to pioneer new ways of delivering social care,
introducing "Telehealth" technology that allowed people to remain
in their homes.
Married with a son and a daughter, he lives in The
Weald and lists his interests as Native American history,
horse-riding and music.
Wednesday, September 16 2009
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