Derry City Council CEO to leave post

The Chief Executive of Derry City Council, Sharon O’Connor, has opted not to reapply for her position and will leave her post early next year.
By Eamon Sweeney
Published 10th Jan 2014, 10:13 BST
Derry City Council Chief Executive and Town Clerk, Sharon O'Connor. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 28.10.11Derry City Council Chief Executive and Town Clerk, Sharon O'Connor. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 28.10.11
Derry City Council Chief Executive and Town Clerk, Sharon O'Connor. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 28.10.11

An internal council memo circulated by the Chief Executive to council staff and seen by the Sentinel said: “Colleagues, you may have heard that I have not applied for the Chief Executive post in the new Council, the fact is that I have not applied for any of the advertised posts. My reasons are entirely personal.

“I will continue in my job until March 2015 when Derry City Council is wound up, supporting the new council, working with you to build on legacy, developing One Plan implementation and completing TDCC. We are in great shape and the future for the City and the Council staff is very positive.

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“We have had a very successful year and it has been a privilege to have led Derry City Council at this exciting time.

“I am very proud of the role played by all of you in that success and it has been inspirational to see ‘One City’ pull together so effectively. I love this City and I will continue to work for it.”

Under the auspices of the Review of Administration which will see the biggest revamp of local authorities in Northern Ireland since 1973, all heads of councils were obliged to reapply for the new CEO positions.

The shake-up of local authorities will see the 26 authorities created in the early 1970s reduced to eleven. Elections for these new bodies often referred to as ‘super councils’ will take place on May 22 this year. Londonderry will amalgamate with Strabane after the forthcoming electoral polls.

Sharon O’Connor came to Derry City Council after a stint as Director of Development with Down District Council.