TOWN hall boss Tony Elson was bowing out today after six-and-a-half years as Kirklees Council's chief executive.
He admitted being sad at leaving, but added: "As a Kirklees Council taxpayer I will be following the council's fortunes with great interest."
Political leaders presented him with an engraved glass plaque to mark his departure, at Huddersfield Town Hall.
Mr Elson, 56, who joined the council in 1989 as social services director, is being succeeded by his deputy, Mr Rob Vincent.
"Today is one of very mixed feelings for me," he said. "On the one hand I will be very sad to be leaving the authority after being here for 16 years.
"But on the other hand it is time to move on and to hand over the challenges that lie ahead to someone else."
He said the council was in capable hands with a very strong senior management team and an excellent staff.
"The council has a workforce that is committed to improving services and keeping Kirklees in the position of being one of the leading `excellent' councils in the country," he said.
"Now is the right time for a new chief executive to take the lead as the council prepares for the next round of comprehensive performance assessments by the Audit Commission and for the challenges that lie ahead over the next five years."
