Nigel Adams, head of paid service at Cotswold District Council, is to retire from the council at the end of this month.

A full meeting of Cotswold District Council last week voted to recruit to a new chief executive post for CDC.

Christine Gore, who currently supports CDC as executive director for shared services group Publica, will be interim chief executive during the recruitment process. The process is expected to take around six months.

Cllr Joe Harris, leader of the council, said: "Over the past 40 years Nigel has been a dedicated public servant, the last 31 years at Cotswold District Council. In all that he has done, he has displayed the very best values of public service. I have benefited hugely from his wise counsel during my first year as leader and I know staff and councillors will miss him.

"As returning officer for the Cotswolds, he's been a key fixture of all elections over the past few decades and it'll be strange taking part in one without him.

"I wish him and his family all the very best in the future."