WAVERLEY chief Paul Wenham is to leave the borough council after 16 years of service on Monday, July 31, by “mutual” consent.

In his time with the council, Mr Wenham has served as director of finance and deputy chief executive, as well as executive director - the council’s chief officer - since January 2014.

A Waverley spokesman denied Mr Wenham has been sacked, but confirmed he has agreed a severance package to leave the council.

Announcing his departure, Mr Wenham said: “With the proposed budget and transformation plans highlighted in the Strategic Review we feel that it now time to ‘pass on the baton’ and I will be leaving Waverley Borough Council. This is something I have mutually agreed with the leader of the council.

“I am extremely proud of the staff at Waverley. We have worked hard together over the years to deliver high quality services. There have been many highlights during my time at the council, too many to mention. I leave behind a great team of people who are committed to Waverley and its residents.”

Thanking Mr Wenham for his long-serving commitment, Waverley leader and Farnham councillor Julia Potts said: “Despite the significant achievements of the council over this period we still face some very big challenges and we both agree that a fresh perspective is needed to take the council forward.

“The council will still require a chief officer to provide operational and strategic leadership. The position will be reviewed and re-evaluated so we can make sure we recruit a leading officer to take the council’s ambitions forward.

“We wish Paul a happy and successful future.”

The decision was agreed by councillors at a behind-closed-doors meeting of the full council on June 6.