Council has lost its third major member of staff in just weeks
A THIRD key member of staff has left a West Yorkshire council in the space of just a few weeks.
Gary Rae, who acted as a special adviser to Kirklees Council chief executive Jacqui Gedman, left the authority on March 31 when his contract ended.
His departure follows the resignation of Karl Battersby, the council’s strategic director for economy and infrastructure, who will leave Kirklees over the summer to begin a new job with North Yorkshire County Council.
Mark McAdam, who was the council’s head of strategic communications, left the authority last month.
Mr Rae described his 12 months with Kirklees as “very rewarding”.
He said: “My fixed-term contract has now come to an end with Kirklees Council.
“It’s been a great privilege to serve alongside the senior directors,
REWARDING: in particular working closely with the chief executive.
“I’m a public servant at heart and it’s been very rewarding to work with councillors and officers, witnessing their work to help improve the lives of Kirklees citizens.
“Now, more than ever, we see the vital role that local government plays in all our lives. I wish my former colleagues all the very best in dealing with challenges they now face.”
Mr Rae was appointed to provide “necessary additional capacity” at a senior level and to work alongside the strategic directors “to ensure that interdependencies are recognised and cross-cutting issues resolved”.
The role also supported Ms Gedman at regional level to improve opportunities for Kirklees to benefit from funding and to assist her in working with all leaders “to improve the reputation and profile of the borough”.
The salary level for the role was between £54,195 and £60,540.
Mr Battersby, who has been a high-profile figure since arriving in Kirklees, was appointed in 2018 from Wigan Council, where he had worked for two years as director of economy and environment.