Council culture and leisure chief David Lawrence steps down
A senior council official who had been put on temporary paid leave has retired from his job.
Bath and North East Somerset Council divisional director for tourism, leisure and culture, David Lawrence, has stepped down from the role he had held for the last five years.
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David Lawrence
Mr Lawrence, who has spent 36 years in the public sector, had made it his mission to raise the city’s game in hosting major events and encouraging more visitors.
But he had been away from his office since the beginning of July while, in the words of a council statement, “certain matters are investigated.”
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His work has been carried out by interim director Mike Butler, who has been working with the B&NES environmental services directorate since March on various improvement programmes.
The council had declined to explain the reasons behind one-time Olympic-standard canoeist Mr Lawrence’s absence from his office.
It said yesterday: “Today, David Lawrence, divisional director, tourism, leisure and culture, has announced that he is retiring after 36 years in public service to pursue his other interests.
“Bath and North East Somerset Council wishes him well for the future. David would like to thank all his staff for their commitment during his five years at the council as director. He would also like to wish the council continued success in the future. Mike Butler will continue to support the strategic director for place until alternative arrangements can be put in place.”
The council added in a subsequent statement: “There are no ongoing enquiries into any individual who has either left or is currently at the council.”
The council is separately recruiting a new strategic director for place - the next tier above Mr Lawrence’s role - because the current postholder, Glen Chipp is leaving for a new job in Essex. That job covers strategic responsibility for everything from planning to rubbish collection.
Mr Chipp leaves at the end of the month and the council says there has been a “positive” response to its advertisement.
Mr Lawrence, who made the GB squad at the 1972 Olympics as a kayak canoeist, had been at the helm of efforts to make the most of this year’s Games.
He had also been one of the driving forces behind events such as the Christmas lights switch-ons, the royal-themed free picnics at Royal Victoria Park, and a number of digital festival initiatives, as well as a champion of public artworks. His portfolio of responsibilities also meant he was in charge of attractions such as the Roman Baths, efforts to get people to take more exercise, libraries and the Bath Film Office.
Comments
by Ilovespaniels
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 6:05PM
“I assume they did have a trial market pompeybelle, there are a couple of photos on the website and it was advertised. Can't help thinking there is an accident waiting to happen there, but I really hope I am wrong !
http://tinyurl.com/9r9artm”
by Pompeybelle
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 5:28PM
“i wonder if they have a licence for their mulled cider and wine stall and a Performing rights licence for the music, etc? And WAS there a successful market in August - I don't remember it. Frankly, the sooner what looks like a travellers' encampment down there is moved on, the better. No - on second thoughts, that's unfair to travellers. The're better organised. And I bet ttavellers don't go and have a quick smoke next to a Calor gas canister. Which reminds me, as it's against the law to smoke at work, and since this RLM mob are claiming the river bank as their work place, wasn't this not only a breach of H&S but also a breach of the law?”
by Ilovespaniels
Monday, September 24 2012, 2:35PM
“capndave -
According to the website the pulteney weir markets begin in October following a successful trial in August ...
http://tinyurl.com/curac37”
by Ilovespaniels
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 5:15PM
“capndave :
"Mind you I cannot recall permission being given to create and run a floating cafe"
One Chance chugged down river from Bristol apparently to be converted into The Bath Butty
according to twitter account but no tweets since 1st August ..
http://tinyurl.com/9szcyh4”
by 26sean
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 5:07PM
“This website is starting to become a load of ol billox come on chron pull your finger out”
by Pompeybelle
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 1:35PM
“Come on Chron - this is DEFINITELY now the latest commented upon - so put it on the front page! This is surely of public interest. Oh but I forgot - long grass and solar bins and Golden Oldies are SOOO much more interesting. Not. BTW, I HATE the term Golden Oldies - me, I'm a silver tiger. Grrrrr!”
by Ilovespaniels
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 11:20AM
“I think it is this quirky system pompeybelle, this article is not in the first 10 pages of news now although only published last thursday. I contacted Paul Wiltshire about this on another thread and it was flagged up again on the first page after I noticed a new posting from a visitor who wasn't too pleased with the welcome he received !
http://tinyurl.com/7m9rnbr”
by capndave
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 11:15AM
“Nice to see you back on the case Pompeybelle, together with your little sniffer dog the spaniel. I'm sure you'll all get back in front soon.”
by Pompeybelle
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 9:47AM
“Yes - it's a funny thing that, Ilovespaniels - it should be on the front page as being most recently active - so why isn't it? I do hope the Chron hasn't been told what to do by B&NES - surely not?”
by Ilovespaniels
Monday, September 10 2012, 8:53PM
“I guess we can now talk to ourselves here because unless someone bounces this back to the first page it will have a limited audience as I found previously ..
There are many questions to be asked methinks ... about riverside markets, the bath butty etc., according to company director check RLM was set up in March so presumably will run to March 2013 ?
http://tinyurl.com/chkuxjn”