Veteran Administrator Leaves Post as New Council Takes Charge

In a significant development, Anna Earnshaw, the chief executive of West Northamptonshire Council, has announced her decision to leave the post. Earnshaw, who joined the council in 2016 and became deputy chief executive in 2020, stated that the decision to depart had been "difficult" but that "the time is now right."

Earnshaw's tenure at the council coincided with a period of significant change and upheaval. When she joined in 2016, Northamptonshire County Council, where she had previously worked, was effectively going bankrupt. In response, the central government decided to abolish the authority and seven other councils across Northamptonshire, leading to the creation of the new West Northamptonshire Council—the fifth-largest unitary authority in the country.

Earnshaw was chosen to lead the new council, which was under Conservative control until May of this year, when the Reform UK party took over the reins. This shift in political leadership likely played a role in Earnshaw's decision to step down from her position.

As the chief executive, Earnshaw oversaw the transition and consolidation of the various local authorities into the new West Northamptonshire Council. Her departure marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the council, which will now navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the Reform UK's leadership.