THE top officer at South Gloucestershire Council has handed in her resignation – and it could cost £30,000 to replace her.

Chief executive Amanda Deeks announced earlier this month she will be retiring from the £160,000 role at some point in 2019.

Her move follows the departure of two of the authority’s four chief officers in the last 12 months.

Mrs Deeks, who joined the council as director of corporate resources in 2001, said: “After 17 amazing years with South Gloucestershire Council, I have decided it is time for me to retire next year.

“During this time it has been a genuine pleasure and privilege for me to have worked alongside the most incredible councillors and staff, all dedicated to serving our residents and making South Gloucestershire a great place to live and work.

“Once I leave, I am really looking forward to having more time for my family and other interests.”

The quality of South Gloucestershire Council’s leadership was celebrated in a peer review last year – but it also warned that turnover at the top level was potentially risky when the authority is transforming.

A report to the council’s appointments and employment subcommittee meeting on Wednesday (November 14) says: “There is always a balance to be struck between bringing in new talent and retaining high-potential staff through deliberate workforce and succession planning strategies.

“The council has a good record of competitive internal promotions to head of service level, which is balanced with appointments made from external campaigns when no successor candidates were internally ready.

“The council’s ambitious priorities for residents of South Gloucestershire, and the significant change programmes the council needs to deliver, will require leadership resilience and exceptional capability.

“The market for chief officers, notably those with corporate accountabilities and chief executive posts, remains buoyant and the council risks competing for talent in a tight labour market where labour mobility remains a challenge.

“There is a real risk of losing existing talent if there is a mismatch between succession planning opportunities at the council and the career aspirations of its senior leaders.”

The appointments and employment subcommittee will discuss recruiting a replacement for Mrs Deeks and potentially advertising the role externally if there are no suitable internal candidates. A national recruitment campaign could cost the council up to £30,000.

The chief executive works with elected members and senior managers “to shape and deliver the vision and strategies of the council”.

South Gloucestershire Council will be seeking a “goal-oriented, problem solver” with a track record as a senior leader.

The successful applicant will “will take us even further by challenging the status quo and driving through service change putting the customer at the heart of everything we do”.

He/she will be responsible for the council’s 3,000 staff and its £629million budget.

The proposed salary range of between £159,900 and £170,560 will be considered by councillors next month.