Council chief executive leaves post after five years

Richard Cassidy was chief executive of East Herts for five years, but here is no timescale yet for naming his permanent replacement

The chief executive of East Herts District Council has left the role after five years.

The authority confirmed Richard Cassidy was leaving "with immediate effect", with deputy Helen Standen replacing him on a temporary basis.

Green council leader Ben Crystall said: “We thank Richard for his service and leadership over the past five years and wish him every success and happiness for the future.”

The authority also confirmed finance chief Steven Linnett would retire at the end of November, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Green leader of the council Ben Crystall thanked Richard Cassidy for his service

Mr Cassidy had spent 40 years working in local government and joined East Herts from Fenland District Council in Cambridgeshire in 2019.

His last day at work was 15 September, but it is not clear yet why he has stepped down, with no timescale given for hiring his replacement.

He said: “I have really enjoyed my time working for East Herts, having led the organisation through Covid and during a subsequent period of significant change and delivery."

In a Linkedin post, he added he was "leaving the council to pursue other career interests".

In the same post, he "wished all his colleagues every success in the future," adding he "had every confidence they will continue to provide excellent services for the local community".

On Mr Linnett’s departure, a council spokesperson said: "His decision to retire was announced internally months ago, and it has always been his plan to retire from a long and distinguished career in local government sometime this year.”

In January, the authority had to plough an extra £6m into the Hertford Theatre project to avoid "bankruptcy" after the budget to expand and refurbish it rocketed to £30m - some 60% more than the original figure.

Last week, the council's human resources committee heard 42 jobs at the authority – 13.5% of the total – were currently unfilled.

The leader of the Conservative opposition, Bob Deering, said he was "surprised" by Mr Cassidy's departure

The leader of the council's Conservative opposition group, Bob Deering, said Mr Cassidy’s departure was a “surprise”.

"We are very grateful to Richard for all the efforts he’s put in over the years," he said.

"Obviously, we won’t know why he’s leaving at this time, not least because there have been other departures in recent weeks and months, which have also come as a bit of a surprise."

The newly re-opened theatre, now known as BEAM, has also seen recent changes in personnel.

Its director Rhys Thomas left his post in July after 13 years and the Bishop's Stortford Independent has reported that hospitality and operations manager Ben Cannell has also moved on.

No single party has a majority at East Herts and the council is run by a coalition of the two largest parties - the Greens and Liberal Democrats.