Two more council directors departing

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Pam Smith

Two more senior council staff are leaving; Executive Director Pam Smith and Penny Sharp, Director of Customers & Communities will both leave Rochdale Borough Council next week.

Their departures are the latest in what has been an exodus of senior council staff this year.

The departure of Ms Smith is no great surprise, she applied for the Chief Executive position when Roger Ellis took early retirement and was unsuccessful.

Appointed an Executive Director in 2009, Ms Smith previously worked as the council’s Head of Performance and Development and was credited with supporting the council’s improvement from a two to a three star authority. She previously worked at the Audit Commission.

Penny Sharp's departure is more of a surprise.

Ms Sharp was appointed Rochdale Council’s Head of Regeneration in 2007 having spent two years overseeing Economic Development at Manchester City Council.

A colleague of the two said :"Pam and Penny were instrumental in launching the High Street Foundation and driving forward the regeneration plans across our town centres. Their passion, commitment, enthusiasm and unfailing support will be greatly missed. We will be extremely sad to see them leave and wish them all the very best for the future."

A local businessman said: "So both Executive and Service Directors for a department which includes regeneration take redundancy. How many other Service Directors going?"