Farewell to long-serving officers
TWO directors, who together have clocked up almost 80 years’ experience in local government, are preparing to step down from their roles at West Lancashire Borough Council
Bob Livermore, director of housing and inclusion services, retires in December after a career spanning 43 years while Graham Concannon, director of street scene services, leaves this month after 36 years’ service.
Mr Concannon began his career at the then West Lancashire District Council in 1980, working on sewer repairs.
He progressed through a number of roles, gaining a degree and undergoing training, until he took over responsibility for street scene in 2003, managing a workforce of around 140 providing the refuse and recycling service, grounds maintenance and street cleansing.
He rates his greatest success as the massive increase in recycling in the borough: recycling rates have rocketed from just 6% in 2003 to almost 50% today.
He said: “When I started at West Lancs I was, quite literally, digging holes. I have been fortunate to have worked my way up and almost 37 years later am leaving as director.”
Mr Livermoore began his career in 1973 with Haringey Council and worked for councils all over the country before joining West Lancs in 2001.
He leads a team of 175 staff who manage just over 6,000 council houses, flats and bungalows. He is also responsible for maintenance of council offices and public buildings.
Looking back over his time at West Lancs, he highlights as a major achievement the £8m Firbeck Revival, completed last month, which involved the refurbishment of many council properties and the building of 42 homes for rent.
Another major success was the £1.7m project to build 17 houses and bungalows at Elmstead in Skelmersdale, which when completed in 2011 were the first council homes built in West Lancashire for 15 years.
He said: “I have had a really enjoyable time working here in West Lancs. I have mixed feelings about leaving, I’m sad to leave a great organisation, whilst at the same time I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family.”