Teesdale council chief -considers his future'

Rumours abounded earlier this week that Charles Anderson, who has been with the council since 1996, was to announce his resignation at Wednesday's meeting of the full council.

But while that did not happen he did tell councillors, in private, that he was considering his future, a fact he later confirmed to the D&S Times.

While refusing to be drawn on what that future might hold or where it might take him, Mr Anderson said it was true that he was "very seriously considering my future with Teesdale District Council. But I have been put under absolutely no pressure from the elected members to do so."

Mr Anderson's career at the council has been a roller-coaster ride at times. He became the target of criticism over the handling of the Safeway "ransom strip" affair, which nevertheless saw him get the best deal for council taxpayers from the supermarket firm.

Last May, the authority was given a poor rating in a Comprehensive Performance Assessment released by the Audit Commission, but is working hard to achieve the targets set out in a recovery plan.

Although the report stated its strengths outweighed its weaknesses in the quality of its services, including leisure and planning, the scores in those areas could not elevate the poor results in other areas.

Pat Thynne, from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is the lead official providing external support to help the council through its recovery process and met members privately on Wednesday.

The D&S Times understands that while she was critical of a lack of member commitment, they in turn voiced their concerns to her about a lack of Government funding to finance all that was being asked of them.

If Mr Anderson, who is 59 and would qualify for early retirement, does decide to leave the authority, his departure is unlikely to be imminent.

But many members, while not speaking publicly, are privately expressing disappointment that he is even considering leaving.