City of Lincoln Council chief exec retires due to ill health

City of Lincoln councillors paid tribute to Andrew Taylor at a meeting on Tuesday, March 3, after an announcement that we will retire from his role as Chief Executive due to ill health.

Andrew Taylor, who is the second longest serving Chief Executive since 1910, retires on Friday, March 6.

Mr Taylor, 54, took indefinite leave from the office in September 2014, when he began treatment for a brain tumour. Sadly however, initial treatment has been unsuccessful.

The council’s Director of Resources, Angela Andrews, will continue in the interim position of Acting Chief Executive.

The council’s Director of Resources, Angela Andrews, will continue in the interim position of Acting Chief Executive.

Andrew, who is married with two children, has spent his entire career working in local government. He was appointed as Chief Executive of the City of Lincoln Council in 1999.

The Mayor of Lincoln, Cllr Brent Charlesworth, said: “It is with great sadness we heard the news this week that the council’s Chief Executive Andrew Taylor has made the decision to take early retirement due to ill health.

“Andrew joined the council in 1999 and, as such, is the second-longest serving Chief Executive at the council since 1910. During his time in Lincoln he was well respected and well liked among his colleagues, members and others in the city.

“Such was his dedication to his role, Andrew even learnt Mandarin and German so he could better converse with representatives from our twin cities of Nanchang and Neustadt. He also famously raised funds for prostate cancer by having the moustache he had sported for 37 years very publicly shaved off.

Chief Executive Andrew Taylor ready for son Saun to flick the switch on the charity shave. Photo: Emily Norton for The Lincolnite.

“I know I speak on behalf of all members when I say he will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with Andrew and his family at this difficult time.”

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the city council, said: “It is always sad to see someone retire after such a long period of service, but especially so in such upsetting circumstances.

“Andrew has made a terrific personal and professional contribution to the council for a long time and we are going to miss him a great deal.

“He has dedicated the last 15 years to serving Lincoln and, on behalf of members and staff, I would like to thank him for all his hard work.”

Mr Taylor has spent his entire working life in local government, beginning his career on a six month work experience scheme in 1978 and becoming the youngest Assistant Chief Executive in the country at the age of 29.

Mr Taylor said:

“Since taking sick leave I have missed my colleagues at the council and across the city greatly, but now is the time to say farewell. I am extremely proud to have been the second longest serving Chief Executive and Town Clerk in the city since 1910.

“I have adored being here in Lincoln. We have been enormously hit with cuts over a good few years now and that was against the background of a council already seriously underfunded, with increased demands also from non council tax payers in neighbouring districts. We have met those challenges incredibly well.

“Many things we have worked so hard on, to ensure the development of our city and take it to the next level, have already started. More projects will take place over the next couple of years and they will be incredibly beneficial when complete. They will help the city centre flow far better, and the economic benefits will be marvellous.

“I am also incredibly proud of the way we have developed apprentices and for them to be trained into future wonderful professionals. Our achievement in this is exceptional and nationally recognised. Having come into local government that way I cannot overstate how beneficial that is.

“It is with great sadness I am retiring, but I have every confidence in the council and would like to thank all my colleagues for their continuing hard work to give Lincoln a great future.”

Staff will be fund raising for Andrew’s chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Care, by taking part in the Lincoln 10k on March 22 as ‘Team Taylor.’ To sponsor the team go to www.justgiving.com/colcteamtaylor