THE chief executive of South Lakeland District Council, who was cleared of misconduct by an independent investigation, has retired from the authority, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

Philip Cunliffe's six-year career with SLDC came to an end on Monday after he had completed nearly 36 years in local government.

In a statement, SLDC leader Colin Hodgson said: "Philip Cunliffe has worked very hard over the last six years to make South Lakeland a better place to live, work and visit.

"I wish him every success and best wishes for the future and thank him for his contribution to South Lakeland."

In turn, Mr Cunliffe spoke in praise of the "public sector ethos" shown by his colleagues, and said it had been a privilege to work with them.

Mr Cunliffe was suspended from his post at the authority last April, alongside two other officers, after it emerged that the annual costs of the council's new pay and grading structure would have reached £1.6 million by 2009, or £1 million more than originally estimated.

In a report into the issue produced by local government expert Rodney Brooke, Mr Cunliffe was cleared of misconduct.

However, Mr Brooke recommended that the option of early retirement should be explored.

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