Stressed city hall boss to quit early

Mr Penn, 53, who lives in Ilkley, was appointed in July 1989 and has been off work since June of this year suffering from stress.

The announcement by council leader Ian Greenwood that the head of the paid service - who earns more than £100,000 a year - will leave, follows months of speculation.

The council has received a certificate from an independent doctor confirming that Mr Penn is permanently incapable of carrying out his duties as chief executive.

He will receive immediate access to his pension, plus an enhancement to bring it up to what would have been his full entitlement under the scheme.

An anti-stress project has just been set up by Bradford Council after an independent survey showed a large proportion of the 23,000-strong workforce was suffering from the condition.

Cliff Williams, regional secretary of Mr Penn's union Unison, said the chief executive's departure was a great disappointment. "It demonstrates the fact that stress can lead to many high-calibre officers in public service succumbing to illness," he said.

Coun Greenwood said: "It is always sad when an employee has to leave us for reasons of ill-health and particularly so when that person is head of the paid service.

"The past decade has been a very difficult and complex time for local government and appears to have taken its toll on our chief executive."

Acting chief executive Philip Robinson will continue in that role and the decision about the appointment process for a successor will be taken in the new year by the council's policy and resources committee.

Mr Penn said he was sorry to be leaving Bradford Council where he had enjoyed ten years as chief executive.

"I have had the privilege of working with many talented and committed people, both inside and outside the council," he said.

Mr Penn's wife, Jill, is chairman of Airedale Health Authority.

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