Elected members of Offaly County Council will meet on 5 January next to ratify a successor to Anna Marie Delaney, who is due to retire from her role as Chief Executive of the local authority after a decade at the helm.

The December meeting of the council was told on Monday 15 December that the process to appoint a successor to Anna Marie Delaney is “already underway” and the name of the person to succeed the current Chief Executive has been “recommended” to the local authority. Director of Services, Ann Dillon, is to serve as the Interim Chief Executive.

Outlining the procedure that will be followed, Cathaoirleach and Independent Councillor John Leahy said the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) will meet on Monday 22 December to consider the matter and within ten days of that meeting, the full council must meet behind ‘in committee’ (i.e. behind closed doors) to ratify the new appointment.

Anna Marie Delaney was the subject of glowing tributes when the issue of her impending retirement was raised under Any Other Business at the December council meeting, with elected members variously describing her as ‘kind’ ‘patient’ ‘helpful’ ‘amenable’ and ‘extremely generous with her time and her talents’.

Ms Delaney had opted to remain at the helm of Offaly County Council for an extra three years after she had served her seven-year term. She thanked the members for their “very kind wishes” and said she had “enjoyed every minute” of her time in Offaly. (Source: Offaly Independent)