AFTER weeks of local speculation Cornwall Council has finally announced its chief executive is to leave the role.

Kate Kennally, who has been in post for more than 10 years, has decided to leave her role as chief executive of Cornwall Council with interim leadership arrangements now in place.

Ms Kennally said: “I am privileged to have served Cornwall for ten years, during which time Cornwall has hosted the G7 leaders’ summit, worked with communities to respond to the Covid pandemic and recovered from significant events such as the Coverack floods and Storm Goretti.

“I am proud of what has been achieved during that time and wish Cornwall every success for the future.”

Having taken a 'leave of absence' in September, councillors were concerned that she was still receiving full pay, while her “stand-in”, interim deputy chief executive Andy Keeling, was being paid on an external contract basis.

Now that she has officially stepped down, the recruitment of a new permanent chief executive will commence in due course.

In a brief closing note, a Cornwall Council spokesperson added: “The council wishes Kate well for the future.”