Town clerk to resign for personal reasons
Tuesday, 21st January 2014.
Haverhill was struck with something of a bombshell today as the town clerk announced his resignation.
Haverhill's town clerk Will Austin gave notice of his impending resignation from the post for personal reasons.
Mr Austin, who was appointed as town clerk in 2011, has overseen numerous significant dvelopments for the town council during his time, particularly around youth provision, with the negotiation to take over the former magistrates court as a youth hub, and
the high street, with the trial Camps Road one-way system soon to take place to discourage illegal driving and parking there.
His resignastion has come out of the blue and leaves councillors with a short time period for finding a replacement, a lot shorter than when Mr Austin's predecessor Gordon Mussett retired and worked side by side with his successor for several months.
Mr Austin, who came here from East Devon, said he left with great regret from a town he had a strong affinity with.
He said in a prepared statement: "I would like to place on record my sincerest thanks to council staff and town councillors, who have made this such an enjoyable and satisfying role for me.
"Particular thanks go to the town mayor Cllr Roger André and to Cllr Maureen Byrne, deputy mayor and chair of the council's personnel committee, who have been hugely supportive during my time in Haverhill.
"It is with great regret that I am leaving having developed a very strong affinity with a town that I am proud to have called home."
He leaves his post in March, and arrangements for the recruitment of a replacement are already under way.
Town mayor Cllr Andre said: "The resignation of Will Austin will be a great loss to the town. He joined us with a wealth of local government experience and quickly adapted to his role.
"He has become a prominent force in the local community and has robustly defended the interests of our community.
"He proved to be professional, courteous and approachable and committed himself to the town council without reservation.
"His efforts on the Neighbourhood Community Budget, and his detailed work on other community issues, reveal his thorough and sensitive approach to mammoth challenges.
"I shall miss Will as a dedicated, valued clerk to the town council and as a staunch adviser and friend during challenging times. Our town and community will be poorer for his departure but has been hugely enriched by his service with us.
"The town council will agree a timetable for recruiting our next town clerk and will consider arrangements for substitution during the intervening period."
Haverhill's town clerk Will Austin gave notice of his impending resignation from the post for personal reasons.
Mr Austin, who was appointed as town clerk in 2011, has overseen numerous significant dvelopments for the town council during his time, particularly around youth provision, with the negotiation to take over the former magistrates court as a youth hub, and
the high street, with the trial Camps Road one-way system soon to take place to discourage illegal driving and parking there.
His resignastion has come out of the blue and leaves councillors with a short time period for finding a replacement, a lot shorter than when Mr Austin's predecessor Gordon Mussett retired and worked side by side with his successor for several months.
Mr Austin, who came here from East Devon, said he left with great regret from a town he had a strong affinity with.
He said in a prepared statement: "I would like to place on record my sincerest thanks to council staff and town councillors, who have made this such an enjoyable and satisfying role for me.
"Particular thanks go to the town mayor Cllr Roger André and to Cllr Maureen Byrne, deputy mayor and chair of the council's personnel committee, who have been hugely supportive during my time in Haverhill.
"It is with great regret that I am leaving having developed a very strong affinity with a town that I am proud to have called home."
He leaves his post in March, and arrangements for the recruitment of a replacement are already under way.
Town mayor Cllr Andre said: "The resignation of Will Austin will be a great loss to the town. He joined us with a wealth of local government experience and quickly adapted to his role.
"He has become a prominent force in the local community and has robustly defended the interests of our community.
"He proved to be professional, courteous and approachable and committed himself to the town council without reservation.
"His efforts on the Neighbourhood Community Budget, and his detailed work on other community issues, reveal his thorough and sensitive approach to mammoth challenges.
"I shall miss Will as a dedicated, valued clerk to the town council and as a staunch adviser and friend during challenging times. Our town and community will be poorer for his departure but has been hugely enriched by his service with us.
"The town council will agree a timetable for recruiting our next town clerk and will consider arrangements for substitution during the intervening period."
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