Eden council has announced that its arrangement with Carlisle City Council to share its chief executive will come to an end.
It said the decision, by the authorities’ leaders, was prompted by the recent announcement about local government reorganisation, which will see all district councils and the county council replaced by two authorities for the east and the west.
Carlisle will be served by the west authority and Eden by the east.
The arrangement with Carlisle City Council to share Jason Gooding will finish on August 31.
Eden District Council’s human resources and appeals panel met on Tuesday to discuss alternative arrangements for the chief executive role.
The panel agreed to explore two options, the first of which is to appoint a new full-time chief executive until the end of March 2023 – the vesting date for the new unitary authority.
The second option is to explore the potential for another shared interim chief executive arrangement with either South Lakes or Barrow councils, which it will eventually join as part of the new East authority.
Work has now begun to establish which of these options best serves the interests of the residents of Eden and of Eden District Council ahead of a future meeting of the panel.
The panel will then make a recommendation for the full council to consider and approve, prior to the implementation of any new arrangements.
Mr Gooding, told Eden staff: “It’s been my privilege to serve as your chief executive. I am sad and disappointed that my time with you is coming to an end so soon.
“The only reason for my departure is that Carlisle and Eden will be in separate local authority areas after local government reorganisation and I simply cannot provide the support both councils need and deserve as we prepare to transition to our respective new unitary authorities.”
