THE district council’s two most senior officers are to leave as part of a new round of restructuring at Pathfinder House.

The Hunts Post: Malcolm Sharp is retiringMalcolm Sharp is retiring (Image: Archant)

Terry Parker is leaving his role as managing director of resources on February 28 while Malcolm Sharp, managing director of communities, partnerships and projects and head of paid service, is to retire.

The two managing directors, who between them have served 22 years with Huntingdonshire District Council, will not be directly replaced as the council will undergo a second phase of restructuring.

Mr Parker and Mr Sharp, who became national president of the Planning Officers’ Society last year, began their managing director roles in June 2011 following a restructure in which former chief executive David Monks took voluntary redundancy. The joint managing director structure was intended to last nine months.

HDC plans to combine the two £125,000-a-year managing director jobs into a single managing director and head of paid services role, a move that will reduce the wage bill.

The new head man or woman will be supported by two assistant directors – roles devised as part of the restructure.

By law, the council must have identified officers in charge of a variety of functions – finance officer, head of paid service, monitoring officer and returning officer.

Currently the finance officer and returning officer roles are held by Mr Parker and the monitoring officer is Colin Meadowcroft, the authority’s chief lawyer.

The total amount of savings and the structure of the new system will be announced next week following a consultation.

HDC executive leader Councillor Jason Ablewhite told The Hunts Post: “Both Terry and Malcolm were instrumental in the initial restructuring which allowed us to keep our frontline services.

“Terry has been involved in local government for eight years and has had excellent results in the council’s finance. It is obvious that he is a very talented individual in this field.

“Malcolm has served local government for more than 30 years and has been key to planning, taking the lead in the enterprise zone at Alconbury and the redevelopment of Huntingdon town centre.

“He has done some fantastic work that will leave a legacy for Huntingdonshire for many years.”

HDC will shortly advertise the new managing director role but it will not command a salary anywhere near the combined figure of the two current MDs.

Cllr Ablewhite said: “Gone are the days of the £180,000 chief executive.”

Mr Sharp will leave following a handover period with the new managing director.