THE chief executive of Worcestershire County Council is to retire, it has emerged.

Trish Haines, who was paid £176,678 last year, is to quit County Hall next spring after six years in charge.

The former social worker became the first woman to ever take the top job back in March 2008 after rising through the ranks of local government.

Her departure comes at a time when the county council is drawing up plans to cut around £80m from spending over the next three financial years.

But it also comes after the authority managed rapid improvements in the national school league tables and oversaw the creation of the £60m Hive facility in Worcester.

She said her time at the council was a “fantastic final chapter” of her career, with the Conservative leadership to launch a recruitment campaign over the winter.

She said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as the chief executive and feel privileged to have worked alongside Adrian (Hardman, the leader) his cabinet, my leadership team, wider staff body and the council's many partners.

“I am particularly proud that despite very challenging financial circumstances, the council has improved the services residents said were most important to them.

“School results have improved for five years in a row, and are now in the top half of national league tables and all our children's homes are rated as excellent.

“In a review conducted by The Times newspaper recently we are the sixth best authority nationally in terms of road conditions and we have seen The Hive, Europe's first joint public and private Library opened in Worcester.

“I am also pleased the council has successfully worked with local communities to help them take on and run services which are important to them but which the council can no longer fund, such as Pershore Library, Malvern Cube and outdoor education centre.

“This has been a fantastic final chapter of my career and one I will look back on with fondness.”

The Tory cabinet has also paid its own tribute, saying Mrs Haines made a “tremendous impact” during her time.

Councillor Adrian Hardman, the leader, said: “Trish joined the authority nearly six years ago and over that time has made a tremendous impact and difference to the council becoming a highly respected individual with myself, fellow elected members, staff and partners.

“She is an inspiring individual to work with and the council would not be where it currently is in terms of having a robust plan for the future without her drive, intellect and dedication.

“The current financial climate is challenging for us, along with all other local authorities, at the moment.

“The difference here in Worcestershire is that we are not running away from the challenge we are facing it front on so as we can make considered changes based on what local people say is important, protecting the most vulnerable and investing in the future.

“Trish has been pivotal in this approach and she leaves a strong legacy for her successor to move things forward.

“Along with publically thanking Trish for all her contributions as Worcestershire's chief executive I would like to wish her all the very best in her retirement and trust she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.”

Mrs Haines, a graduate of Bradford University, started her career in social work in Yorkshire.

She held management posts in Berkshire, Suffolk and Worcestershire before being appointed Director of Social Services in Warwickshire in 1997.

In 2002, she got her big break and moved to Reading Borough Council as chief executive before returning to County Hall in 2008.

She also gets expenses and a pension pay-out on top of her basic salary.

* More on this story will follow in tomorrow's Worcester News.