Erika Wenzel leaves Cheshire East

Cheshire East Council has announced this morning that Chief Executive Ms Erika Wenzel left the Council by mutual agreement on 30 June, 2012, following a period of sickness absence.

Rumours of her impending departure have been circulating all year and were published on AudlemOnline as long ago as 9th February.

Erika Wenzel was appointed to the role in October, 2008, prior to the formation of the new Cheshire East Council in April, 2009 which followed the splitting of Cheshire County Council into two unitary authorities, Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Chester.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "I had limited experience of working with Erika, but I have huge respect for anyone who has built a business from scratch and people tell me that she achieved much in those first three years. I now wish her a speedy recovery. 

"I am pleased that a mutual agreement has been reached with Ms Wenzel. I am fully aware that the amount of £93,550 that has been agreed for Erika's departure will give rise to much comment.

"It should be noted that a substantial element of this relates to contractual notice and I would point out that this is significantly less than the average of £256,000 paid in respect of chief executives who left their posts by agreement as revealed in the most recent study by the Audit Commission, and vastly less than the £589k that Kent County Council's Chief Executive recently received.

"I do appreciate though that, in these austere times, many people may feel that this is still a lot of money, but I can promise that we have given careful thought and consideration as to what will give the best outcome for the taxpayers of Cheshire East."

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