THE deputy chief executive of Bury Council, Ruth Fairhurst, is to step down from her post at the end of this month.

Council bosses have decided not to replace her, saving around £120,000.

Mrs Fairhurst has spent six years with the council, having joined as assistant chief executive in 2006, and was promoted to deputy in 2011.

She is taking voluntary severance to take more time to provide support for her mother who is elderly and in poor health.

Mrs Fairhurst said: “Close colleagues have been aware of the increasing frailty of my mother in recent years, and most particularly over the last six months.

“I have therefore taken the decision to stand down from my post to spend more time with my mother, achieve a better work-life balance in so doing and, in some small part, assist the council at a time when significant and prolonged cuts to its budget are required.”

“It has been a privilege to work for the council over the last six years.”

Chief executive Mike Kelly said: “Ruth has made a lasting and valuable contribution to Bury; she has been a key player in the development of the council’s Plan for Change and the borough’s public services.

“Ruth’s request for voluntary severance has significantly contributed to the overall requirement to reduce senior management costs in Bury. We all wish her well for the future.”