Barry Horne to quit Nottingham City Council

BARRY Horne is to quit his job in charge of Nottingham's City Council's environment and regeneration services.

His departure from the £145,000-a-year job follows a decision to restructure his department which embraces development, regeneration and services such as street cleaning and refuse collection.

He leaves on February 5 "by mutual consent", the city council said in a statement.

A severance package has yet to be agreed. Nottingham City Council is to create a new development department which will embrace planning, economic development, transport and regeneration.

Council chief executive Jane Todd stressed that the parting was "amicable".

The council recently announced plans to restructure the authority, which is due to move in April to Capital One's former purpose-built offices on Station Street. Ms Todd praised Mr Horne's "professionalism" and his contribution to the tram and transport system, the new Old Market Square and bio-tech incubation park, Bio City.

"Nottingham has come on tremendously as a major UK city in the time that Barry has been responsible for the council services that have most impact in this area of our work," she said.

Mr Horne. 48, has overseen a department of 1,200 staff and a £200m budget.

He said: "After seven years in the driving seat it will be nice to take a back seat and watch Nottingham go from strength to strength. While I will move on to other opportunities outside Nottingham – I will continue to enjoy living in this fabulous city."

Mr Horne's job as corporate director of environment and regeneration will be filled on a temporary basis by Jennifer Dearing, who joined the authority last summer as interim planning director.

The re-shaped development department will face tough challenges such as overhauling problem companies owned by the authority – including the loss-making district heating system EnviroEnergy and Nottingham City Homes.