North Yorkshire Council’s chief executive Richard Flinton has announced he will retire from his role at the end of March next year.
Mr Flinton's decision brings to an end a local government career spanning almost four decades in North Yorkshire.
He joined the authority as a trainee trading standards officer in 1987 before progressing through a series of senior roles.
He became chief executive of the former North Yorkshire County Council in 2010 and later helped oversee the creation of North Yorkshire Council.
The new unitary authority was launched in April 2023 following the merger of the county’s eight previous councils, creating a single organisation covering the whole of North Yorkshire.
Mr Flinton said the creation of the new council was among the achievements he was most proud of, alongside helping secure a devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire.
The deal brought additional funding and greater decision-making powers to the region.
Mr Flinton also played a key role during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he was chief executive of the former county council and helped coordinate the delivery of public health messages and essential services to more than 600,000 residents.
He said:
“This has been an extremely difficult decision to make, and I have loved working with so many great people committed to doing their best for North Yorkshire’s residents and businesses.
“However, the time feels right ahead of the next elections, in May 2027, and with the work of merging eight councils into one new unitary authority largely completed.
“Local government across the country is in a challenging situation facing huge demand and severe financial pressures. However, North Yorkshire Council is strong and well placed to face these.
“It has already gained an enviable reputation for strong service delivery and championing our county.
“I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved, and I would like to thank everybody I have worked with including councillors, colleagues and partners, for their support and fellowship throughout my career.”
North Yorkshire Council leader Cllr Carl Les paid tribute to Mr Flinton, thanking him for his service to the council and residents across the county.
He said Mr Flinton had helped deliver “many important projects”, particularly the creation of the new council and the devolution deal.
The announcement comes as councils across the country continue to face financial pressures and rising demand for essential services.
North Yorkshire Council was named the third most productive local authority in the country by the IMPOWER Index in February, which measures councils on the outcomes they deliver for every pound spent.
The authority was also named the best-performing council in the North of England.
During Mr Flinton’s time as chief executive, the council’s children’s services were rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Its adult social care services were also rated among the strongest nationally in a Care Quality Commission assessment published last year, receiving an overall score of 81.
Mr Flinton, who was born in Scarborough, began his career with North Yorkshire County Council on October 1st, 1987.
He became assistant head of trading standards and regulatory services before moving into a number of senior management positions, including assistant director for business and community services and assistant chief executive for policy, performance and partnerships.
Before becoming chief executive, he was corporate director of business and environmental services between 2008 and 2010.
In August 2022, it was confirmed that he would become chief executive of the new North Yorkshire Council ahead of its launch the following year.
The recruitment process for his successor is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Mr Flinton will remain in post until the end of March 2027.
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