IN truth there was never a chance that Fenland District Council s chief executive Tim Pilsbury would work with Alan Melton but for all that the timing of the former s resignation was a surprise. It was also a well-kept secret, indicating either a late bre

IN truth there was never a chance that Fenland District Council's chief executive Tim Pilsbury would work with Alan Melton but for all that the timing of the former's resignation was a surprise.

It was also a well-kept secret, indicating either a late breaking decision or, more likely, a revelation which needed to be kept under wraps until the last possible moment to achieve minimal disruption to the leader's budget speech.

Either way it still came as a shock to realise that the man gifted the responsibility of transforming Fenland District Council, and achieving mightily in the scale of his ambitions and performance, will no longer be there.

This is not the time to reflect upon the ugliness, and brutality, of the political shenanigans that may have hastened his departure: Tim leaves with head held high and with the accolades his tenure deserves.

The transformation of Fenland into a high performing and dynamic local authority has been a team affair but few will doubt it has been the sheer scale and breadth of Tim's ability that has taken us there.

There have been mistakes, of course, notably in respect of the council's paranoia in withholding often routine pieces of information.

But without hesitation we commend Tim for his commitment and passion for all things Fenland and will look expectantly to others to maintain and improve upon the ground work he laid.