Simon BirchSWINDON'S chief council officer has quit because he believes the town needs a fresh approach. Secret papers, released exclusively to the Adver, revealed that chief executive Simon Birch had resigned after two years in the job.

In spite of helping to make improvements, he decided to jump ship following talks with council leader Mike Bawden.

"It's no secret that this has been one of the toughest jobs in local government," he said.

"When I took over the council had real problems. I'm proud of the improvements we have made and the team I have built.

"I now feel it is time for me to look for new challenges where I can use the skills I have developed at Swindon."

Hitting back at speculation from council insiders, Mr Birch denied there had been any clashes with the administration over the amount of money being pumped into services.

"Officers will give advice to the cabinet about budget setting but it isn't our role to decide how money is allocated," he said.

"That is a political decision and I can honestly say there haven't been any clashes."

Mr Birch, who was believed to be earning about £135,000 a year, took over as acting chief executive after the resignation of Paul Doherty in 2002.

During Mr Birch's reign the council has pulled itself up from a "poor" to "weak" rated council but its social services department remains zero-rated and the director of social services is currently on leave.

Coun Bawden said there was a need to accelerate the pace of improvements.

"Simon Birch and I have had ongoing discussions as to how to achieve the necessary increase in the pace of change," he said.

"As a result, Simon has arrived at the decision that, despite his considerable achievements over the past two years, the challenges this year will require very specific skills and a different style of leadership.

"Therefore he made the decision that it is time for him to take on a new challenge elsewhere.

"There is absolute determination among all my cabinet members and directors to continue with the improvements to services that we have seen over the past year."

Arrangements for Mr Birch's exit will be discussed at a meeting next Monday but Coun Bawden said it was too early to say how the post would be filled.

Ben Payne