Cheshire East Council finds itself in turmoil again at the top level with the chief executive off work “currently unwell” and a senior director resigning “by mutual agreement” with immediate effect, writes Belinda Ryan.
A spokesperson for the council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Rob Polkinghorne, chief executive of Cheshire East Council, is currently unwell and is not in work.
“In Mr Polkinghorne’s absence, the chief executive’s delegations and duties are being covered by Helen Charlesworth-May, executive director for adults, health and integration, supported by the corporate leadership team.”
It has also emerged that executive director Phil Cresswell resigned from his position with immediate effect last Friday (December 5th).
A CEC spokesperson added: “Phil Cresswell, executive director, place, has resigned by mutual agreement with immediate effect, on Friday December 5.”
Mr Cresswell is one of the more recent additions to the council’s senior leadership team.
His sudden departure comes almost a year to the day he first took up the role at Cheshire East.
The council has given no explanation for him leaving.
The LDRS first became aware of the absent bosses after being contacted by a number of Cheshire East staff asking why neither of them were in work.
Cheshire East was contacted last week for an explanation and it issued staff with a statement yesterday (December 8th).
If we ran our homes and businesses as Cheshire East is ran we would all be bankrupt. They both will be rewarded with massive payouts and huge additions to their pension pots. Cheshire East is a huge cash cow for senior executives for very little work.
Just like when Jonesy was running the sh*tshow! (Deep belly laugh heard from beyond the grave)
If the leader is off ‘unwell’ then why has Microsoft Teams account been deleted from the councils corporate system? Surely you don’t remove email and teams account when someone is just off sick?
WOW. Such an inept council