After more than 13 years at the helm, Rutland County Council Chief Executive Helen Briggs has today (Tues) announced she is to retire.

Mrs Briggs will be leaving her role in August.

The council will now begin the process to find a replacement and has commissioned specialist recruitment company Berwick Partners to support them in finding a new Chief Executive.

Mrs Briggs said: "It has been an honour to have worked for Rutland County Council for the past 13 years.

"Rutland is a special place and I have enjoyed the challenges and opportunities the role has brought me.

"Our One Council team work hard to deliver high quality services across the county - I am immensely proud to have been part of that team.

"The dedication and passion of our teams who work 365 days a year to ensure the best outcomes for our residents is what makes working for RCC so special.

"The time is now right for me to spend more time with my husband and in my garden.

"To hand over the reins to a new Chief Executive who will support the council with ambitious plans for the future.

"But not just yet - I will be continuing in role until August 2020. It is going to be a busy year and I will of course be playing my part in that."

Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council, commented: "Helen has had a long and distinguished career working within local government.

"I believe Rutland County Council has thrived under her leadership and with her commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for Rutland.

"We have recently undertaken a Peer Review through the Local Government Association and they found we are a very well-run council with a dedicated, passionate, innovative staff team who they could see make a huge contribution each day.

"This feedback was certainly not unexpected, we see it every day in the work we do, and it will support us in attracting a strong calibre successor to Helen's role in the coming months."

Rutland County Council