Wife of absent Cornwall Council chief resigns from post

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 18:25 · Archive

Rachael Rothero has resigned from her £100,000 post at Cornwall Council, a month after her wife Kate Kennally, the council's chief executive, went on sudden leave of absence.

Rachael Rothero, service director for people commissioning at Cornwall Council, has resigned from her post a month after her wife Kate Kennally, the council's chief executive officer, went on sudden leave of absence.

Ms Rothero was employed on a salary of around £100,000 while her partner was in charge of the unitary authority. Ms Kennally remains absent on her full salary of more than £200,000. The council, which is £1.5 billion in debt, has also appointed an interim deputy chief executive to steer the authority in her absence.

Ms Rothero's departure was announced to staff by strategic directors Alison Bulman and Tim Browne, who said she had made a significant contribution and would remain with the council until the end of the year to allow for a planned orderly transition. Both outlets understand that sick leave is the official reason given for Ms Kennally's absence, though they report that other aspects of her absence are also being discussed at County Hall. Ms Kennally's absence was the subject of a chief officers employment committee meeting on 25 September, which lasted more than six hours and was held in private.

How it is being reported

• Wife of absent Cornwall Council chief now resigns from her job at councilPHOTO of Rothero taken from LinkedIn Cornwall Council’s service director for people commissioning Rachael Rothero has resigned from Cornwall Council a month after her wife, the council’s chief executive officer Kate Kennally, went on a sudden leave of absence.Falmouth Packet · 9 Oct, 17:23
• Absent Cornwall Council chief's wife resigns from her council post'We appreciate that news of a senior colleague leaving can naturally create questions about what happens next'CornwallLive · 9 Oct, 17:19

In this story: Rachael Rothero · Kate Kennally · Cornwall Council · Cornwall

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