THE future of St Albans District Council's chief executive has finally been resolved.

The long-running saga ended this week with the news that Edward Hackford is leaving the authority after 11 years as the council's supremo.

The 61-year-old, who has completed more than 25 years at senior management level in local government and the health service, will take early retirement in October.

He said: 'St Albans has been an exciting and challenging place to work which I have greatly valued.

'I hope I have helped the council to work more harmoniously with the various groups and stakeholders in the community by trying to work towards the same ends rather than in competition with one another.'

Mr Hackford's position at the council was thrown into doubt earlier this year when major management restructuring plans were voted through by councillors.

Papers put before councillors indicated that Mr Hackford was not expected to remain in his post after three new strategic directors were appointed.

In private session, councillors agreed to defer discussions on the chief executive's possible early retirement until a special meeting of the policy and resources committee in May.

But discussions were further delayed when it was revealed that he was suffering from an eye condition, which was preventing him from reading detailed documents for lengthy periods of time.

Appointments for the new super director posts, who will replace the council's six departmental directors, are expected to be announced in September.