Three senior officers at Carlisle City Council are bowing out after decades of public service.
Jason Gooding, Alison Taylor and Mark Lambert will leave the authority when it becomes part of Cumberland Council, alongside Allerdale council, Copeland council and Cumbria County Council.
Carlisle leader Councillor John Mallinson thanked and praised the officers for their work.
Mr Gooding, chief executive for Carlisle City Council, has 20 years service; Ms Taylor, corporate director of finance and resources, 37 years and Mr Lambert, corporate director of governance and regulatory services, has 22 years’ service.
Coun Mallinson, said: “Jason, Alison and Mark have been excellent public servants and I’d like to praise them for all their hard work and diligence during their time at Carlisle City Council. All have long service records and have supported us through some difficult and challenging periods, including floods and a pandemic. They have also led from the front and have put Carlisle into a strong position regionally and nationally.
“Jason was integral with the formation of Carlisle Ambassadors, a network of hundreds of local businesses and individuals and played a key part in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. He’s helped put Carlisle at the beating heart of the Borderlands region. The exciting regeneration schemes currently underway within the city will be part of this legacy.”
Mr Gooding added: “It’s been a pleasure to be the chief executive of Carlisle City Council. I have been supported by brilliant staff, including Alison and Mark. I wish them all well for the future.
“It will soon be a new chapter for local government in Carlisle and I’m sure the city council staff will rise to the challenge and will continue to provide excellent services to the communities and businesses in Carlisle.”
Mr Gooding joined Carlisle City Council in 2003 and became chief executive in November 2011.
Ms Taylor started her career as a clerical assistant at Carlisle City Council in 1985 and became the chief finance officer in 2016 and then the corporate director of finance and resources in 2018.
Mr Lambert joined Carlisle City Council as an assistant solicitor in 2001. He became director of governance in 2009 and then the corporate director of governance and regulatory services in 2016.