Leader: What now as council chief moves on?

The abrupt departure of Shropshire Council chief executive Kim Ryley in some ways sums up his tenure at the head of the authority.

While the consummate council leader Keith Barrow has described his move to Cheshire East Council as a “fresh approach to partnership working”, the situation throws up more questions than answers.

Alongside Councillor Barrow, Mr Ryley has charted a course for the council through the most turbulent times in local government in a generation as it has strived to deal with the huge savings that it is being called upon to make.

Together they have adopted an innovative and imaginative approach. They have been ideas men. But hundreds of council workers have lost their jobs, and the conditions of those remaining have been degraded.

For Shropshire Council, the captain has left the bridge amid some fairly choppy waters.

It goes without saying that Mr Ryley has been a key figure in shaping the personality and outlook of this council. His appointment was announced in July 2009. The council itself only dates from April 2009.

Together with Councillor Barrow, he has steered it through its crucial early years.

So now we come to the questions. What happens now? And a fundamental one – should Shropshire Council replace him?

Mr Ryley was being paid more than the Prime Minister. In neighbouring Telford & Wrekin Council, the chief executive post was made redundant.

That council appointed a highly skilled and highly effective managing director. The sky has not fallen in as a result, and the council top brass seem able to go about their business quietly and efficiently.

A lot now falls on the shoulders of Councillor Barrow in picking up the pieces of Mr Ryley’s departure. He is more than capable of keeping the ship steady.

And it may prove to be an opportunity for Shropshire Council to reassess how it delivers its leadership.