North Yorkshire County Council launched a new Health and Adult Services Directorate on 1 July 2011. The new Directorate replaces Adult and Community Services and will provide a sharper focus on health. It will take the lead responsibility for health, including public health, commissioning responsibilities and emergency health planning.
Derek Law, Corporate Director, said: “It’s time for a change and with the introduction of the new Directorate, I have taken the decision to retire from August 12 2011.
“I recognise that it is now time for a new person to take over the reigns. I have thoroughly enjoyed my seven years here in North Yorkshire and am very proud of all our considerable achievements.
“Adult social care and library services have been transformed over the years and are now high performing with a well-earned national reputation for modernisation, sound budgetary management and a track record for delivering value for money. I wish my successor and the new Health and Adult Services Directorate every success.”
County Councillor Clare Wood, the Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, said: “The Health and Adult Services Directorate will provide a real opportunity to make a success of the health reforms announced by the Government in recent weeks.
“I am really looking forward to working with the new Directorate to transform and improve the health and well being of our local communities.
“Once again North Yorkshire is leading the way nationally with this new Directorate. Its key responsibility will be to develop a local approach to the national changes and reduce health inequalities, develop effective partnerships, provide better value for money across health and adult social care and develop joined up services to improve the quality of life for our people in North Yorkshire.”
She added: “On behalf of the County Council, I wish Derek a happy retirement and thank him for his outstanding contribution to the people and communities of North Yorkshire.”
