Swansea Council’s Chief Executive to stand down

SWANSEA Council Chief Executive Jack Straw has announced he is to leave the authority next year.

Mr Straw has been Chief Executive since March 2011.

He said, “It was always my intention to stand down by the time I’m 60, so I’ve notified the Council I will leave after next year’s budget setting and annual council in May.

“The reason I’m announcing it now is to allow the Council sufficient time to consider all their options for filling the post and to have a proper and professional hand-over to my successor.

“The recent Wales Audit Office Corporate Assessment concluded that we are well-placed to face the future challenges and that we have the right plan in place, so this gives me the confidence that the Council is on the right track.”

Cllr Rob Stewart, the Council Leader, paid tribute to Mr Straw.

He said, “Jack is an excellent Chief Executive who has the respect of his colleagues, Councillors and those across local government in Wales.

“He has helped lead the authority through very challenging financial times which has been highlighted in the recent and positive Peer Review and Wales Audit Office Corporate Assessment which looked at all aspects of council services.

“I understand Jack’s decision to leave by the time he is 60 and I’m grateful to him for informing us now so that we can fully consider how we fill the post.

“It also means that Jack will be here to support us as we face further budget and service challenges and prepare for local government reorganisation in the coming period.”

Mr Straw joined the authority in 2005 as Director of Social Services and Housing before being appointed Executive Director in 2009.

He began his local government career in Nottingham and later became Assistant City Treasurer for the former Swansea City Council in 1989. He has also held a number of senior posts in the NHS in Wales and was Chief Executive of the Swansea Local Health Board until 2005.