CUMBERLAND Council’s chief executive has today (Thursday June 25) confirmed his decision to leave the local authority later this year.
In a statement Andrew Seekings said he will retire at the end of December 2026.
He was confirmed in the role in July 2022, and formally took up post on December 31, 2022, when he became the chief executive for what was then the shadow authority prior to Cumberland Council being formed in April 2023.
His decision, and the recruitment process for a new chief executive, was confirmed at the council’s staffing committee meeting held on Monday (June 22).
Speaking on his decision, Mr Seekings said: “This has been a difficult decision and made for personal reasons. Following a recent operation, and after reflecting on the loss of several close friends over the past few years, I have spent a great deal of time considering my own health and wellbeing.
“I have concluded that the time is right for me to retire now and spend more time with my family and friends.
“It has been a genuine privilege and honour to lead Cumberland Council since its formation and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved.
“Through dedication, professionalism and commitment, we have successfully established a new unitary council and built services that place residents at the heart of everything we do.
“We have made significant improvements across many areas of the organisation while delivering more than £50million of savings over the past three years.
“These achievements are a testament to the hard work and commitment of colleagues across the council and the partnerships we have made with organisations across Cumberland.
“As we begin the process of recruiting my successor, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition.
“Over the coming months, my focus will remain firmly on delivering our key priorities, including continued regeneration activity across Cumberland, and major projects such as Cumberland Sports Village.”
Before joining Cumberland Council Mr Seekings was the chief executive and a director at the former Allerdale Council for almost 10 years and before that he was the head of transformation with Sunderland City Council between June 1998 and May 2013.
He studied economics at the University of Sunderland and was educated at a school in the Doncaster area.
Earlier this year he was named in the ‘Town Hall Rich List’, which was published by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, which outlines all of the executives and other staff working for councils nationwide who earn six-figure sums annually.
According to the figures, Cumberland’s chief executive received a basic salary of £182,391, however this was reduced by £1,409 in expenses or benefits in kind.
He received £33,378 in pension contributions, bringing the total to £214,359.
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