Civic leaders have called for an inquiry after a corporate director announced he is leaving Telford & Wrekin Council – the third senior officer to leave the authority in the last three months.

Councillor Keith Austin, leader of the opposition and a former council leader, has called for an independent internal inquiry into the reasons why three senior officers have left in such a short time.

The latest departure was announced today.

Richard Webb will leave his post as corporate director for adult and consumer care in the late summer after landing one of the top jobs at Sheffield City Council, where he will become their executive director for communities.

Ron Odunaiya, corporate director of community services, has already left and Steve Wellings, chief executive, has announced he is leaving.

Councillor Gary Davies, an Independent member, backed Councillor Austin’s calls.

“It’s important we as councillors and the public know exactly what is happening at the council,” he said.

“I’m getting a lot of calls from people who are dissatisfied with what is happening with officers of great calibre we seem to be losing.”

Mr Webb, who joined the council in 2005, said: “I have loved working here – with councillors, staff, partner agencies and the public – and I feel really honoured to be part of what we have achieved here and the investments we have in place for vulnerable adults and older people will further build on this.”

Councillor Austin said: “The loss of three high-calibre, well-respected senior officers in such a short time rings alarm bells.”

He said he would be calling a special emergency council meeting before the council’s annual meeting on May 21.

David Wright, Labour MP for Telford, also backed Councillor Austin’s calls for an inquiry. “This is extremely worrying,” he said.

Council chiefs said they were now putting arrangements in place for an interim director to manage the adult and consumer care portfolio.

Nigel Newman, council spokesman, said the authority still has an effective management team.