Top Newport council officer to retire as another resigns (From South Wales Argus)

Top Newport council officer to retire as another resigns

10:50am Friday 15th February 2013 in News By David Deans - Politics reporter

ONE of Newport council’s most senior officers has announced his retirement.

Strategic director for people Stuart Greenwell, who works at one management level below the chief executive, has told councillors he is to leave on May 31.

In a separate move Sue Bolter, head of regeneration and regulatory services, has resigned from the authority.

Mr Greenwell told councillors in an e-mail he wanted to give the council enough notice so the recruitment process for his successor can be completed before he leaves.

He wrote: “It goes without saying that my time in Newport has been enormously challenging as well as really enjoyable and I am proud of what we have achieved since May 2009, when I started, not just in social services and education but across the council.

“I will have plenty of time to say my thanks to people over the next few months and it is more likely to ‘au revoir’ than a final goodbye, I hope.”

In his role Mr Greenwell oversees the work of the social services and education departments.

Meanwhile Newport council confirmed that Sue Bolter, the head of regeneration and regulatory services, has resigned and left Newport council.

Sources at the authority said the move came as a surprise.

“Weare grateful to Sue for the work she has done during her time in Newport,”

a spokeswoman for council said.

Ms Bolter’s departure comes amid a review of regeneration body Newport Unlimited and reports that the Welsh Government is to withdraw its funding from April 1.

A council report said some functions of the body would need to be provided by the council.

The Welsh Government review on regeneration is due to report back in March.