The chief executive of a Cumbrian council is set to retire at the end of the year.
Westmorland and Furness Council announced Sam Plum will step down in December after three years leading the authority.
She retires after 33 years in local government and was formerly CEO of Barrow Borough Council.
Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “Leading an organisation through a period of significant change is a huge task.
“To do that whilst continuing to deliver a wide range of day to day services that residents rely on, and doing so whilst in the public eye, is particularly demanding. I can completely understand Sam’s decision to step back and to refocus on more personal priorities.
“Sam has been a real inspiration and a first class officer to work with. Sam has lead from the front, as we have established the new council. One that is becoming known as a successful and dependable organisation. Sam is recognised for her straight forward approach, for her hard work, commitment, enthusiasm and drive.
“We will now have to begin the process to recruit a new chief executive. It won’t be straight forward to find the right person to lead us forward on the next stage of our transformation journey.
“Sam has indicated that she won’t be finishing until the end of the year, so we will have time to ensure we select the right person for the job and to say our goodbyes to Sam over the coming months.”
Sam added: “I am incredibly proud to have been the first chief executive for Westmorland and Furness Council and of all it has achieved so far.
“I can honestly say my time in Cumbria over the last six-plus years has been the most rewarding and humbling of my 33-year local government career.
“In particular I want to give my thanks to all members, officers, staff, partners and communities who have all paid a key and essential role in the successful start that our council has enjoyed so far.
“We are well on our way to being a positive, inclusive, community focused organisation, living up to our full potential as a unitary, with some incredible opportunities on the horizon.
“That said the timing of this decision feels right for me and for the council, we will be spending time over the next 12 months gearing up for the next phase of our transformation journey and now feels like the right time for me to pass on the baton and let someone new shape the council’s next exciting chapter.”
