Senior Norfolk council officer Simon Hughes abruptly exits

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 18:45 · Archive

Simon Hughes, director of property at Norfolk County Council, has left the authority this week without serving notice after nine years and eight months in the role. The council confirmed the departure but declined to provide reasons or disclose whether Mr Hughes received an exit package, saying it did not comment on individual staff members. Opposition councillors have called for answers about the sudden exit.

Mr Hughes, 44, was responsible for managing the council's asset portfolio, including 20 care homes, libraries, other council buildings and 16,000 acres of County Farms. He had been closely involved in a proposed deal to sell the care homes and the council-owned Norse Care group that runs them to private provider Stow Healthcare.

Opposition councillors highlighted that his departure follows the similarly sudden exit of the authority's former chief executive Tom McCabe in June, shortly after Reform took control of County Hall. Tom McCabe was subsequently replaced by Dennis Bacon, a decision that has sparked controversy.

How it is being reported

• Sudden exit of senior Norfolk council officer raises questionsA senior officer at Norfolk County Council has abruptly left the authority, with opposition councillors calling for answers about his sudden departure.Norwich Evening News · 3 Nov, 18:00
• Sudden exit of senior Norfolk council officer raises questionsA senior officer at Norfolk County Council has abruptly left the authority, with opposition councillors calling for answers about his sudden departure.Eastern Daily Press · 3 Nov, 18:00

In this story: Simon Hughes · Norfolk County Council · Tom McCabe · Dennis Bacon · Reform · Stow Healthcare · Norse Care · Norfolk

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log