Adrian will be missed by people of Kirklees

I HAVE read in the Examiner on November 21 that Mr Adrian Lythgo (pictured), who for six years has been in the role of chief executive of Kirklees Council, will be leaving in February 2017.

Since my time as councillor has come to cease I have been involved in several voluntary and community organisations. On occasion I have written to Mr Lythgo in regards to issues concerning the community or of individuals in need. His responses have always been unfailingly prompt and positive. He is a most decent, honest and reliable person. I found him to be a polite, courteous demeanour and I will miss him greatly.

To my knowledge his commitment to providing a quality service and to improving the quality of life for all residents of Kirklees has been second to none. Kirklees is the seventh largest Metropolitan Council in the country with a very diverse population and a wide mix of urban and rural areas. For the chief executive to monitor and to overview to ensure that council polices serve the needs of the residents and that polices are all implemented, then in my view he has succeeded in this task. He has been an absolutely excellent chief executive.

I am sure Adrian will be sadly missed by the residents of Kirklees.

Recently I have served with Ms Jacqui Gedman at the Kirklees College Board who is going to be acting chief executive for the next 12 months. Although there are still significant challenges ahead mostly due to financial difficulties, I am confident that she will also serve Kirklees Council extremely well.