ROSSENDALE Council boss Helen Lockwood has announced she is to leave her post.

Mrs Lockwood, chief executive of the authority since May 2009, will leave next month to take up a position in Greater Manchester.

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She becomes the third East Lancashire council boss to quit within four months, after Pendle’s Stephen Barnes and Burnley’s Steve Rumbelow.

Political leaders in the valley united in their praise of the 49-year-old, who will take up a role as executive director of co-operatives and neighbourhoods at Oldham Council in January.

Current council leader, Labour’s Alyson Barnes, said Mrs Lockwood, the head of the council’s paid staff, had been ‘a successful chief executive’.

Mrs Lockwood said: “Being the chief executive of Rossendale Council has been a privilege.

“I have seen Rossendale grow in strength and confidence over the years.

“Rossendale is a fantastic council with hard-working staff, and amazingly passionate communities that all want to make a difference.

“I am moving on now as it feels the right time for me to do so.

“I am sure there will be more details to follow about what will happen next, in due course.

“I will miss the Rossendale Valley, but I am of course looking forward to my new challenge in Oldham.”

Cllr Barnes said Mrs Lockwood had played a key role in boosting the local authority.

She said: “I think she leaves Rossendale all the better for her being here and has been a key senior player within the organisation.

“She has had to make difficult decisions, including cutting staff and I am sad to see her go.”

In September, Pendle announced that its chief executive post was to be axed, but Cllr Barnes said Rossendale had every intention of recruiting a replacement for Ms Lockwood.

Coun Darryl Smith, leader of the council’s Conservatives, said: “Helen joined at about the same time as I became involved with the council and she has done an excellent job here. It is a shame to see her go but everybody has to move on in life and I wish her all the best. I’ve spoken to Alyson and I think going forward we need a chief executive who works in the borough day in, day out.”

Mrs Lockwood joined Rossendale as head of customer services and e-government in July 2005 and became deputy chief executive in June 2006. She will soon be reunited with her predecessor at Rossendale, Carolyn Wilkins, who is chief executive of Oldham Council.