The chief executive of Thanet District council, Madeline Homer, is to leave her role with immediate effect.

Thanet Council announced today a joint decision had been made between the council and Ms Homer for her to step down.

An interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service will be identified, and a decision on the appointment is set to go before the next Full Council meeting on Thursday, July 14.

Until this date, the council’s Section 151 Officer and Director of Finance, Chris Blundell has been appointed as acting deputy chief executive and will cover the duties of the head of paid service with immediate effect.

Last year Ms Homer faced calls to step down in the wake of a damning report from auditor Grant Thornton, which revealed a culture of bullying and intimidation at the authority, and spoke of “a serious breakdown in relations” between senior figures.

A new statement from Madeline Homer, reads: "After nearly 15 years at Thanet District Council, and seven years as its chief executive, it is time to embrace the natural cycle of change both for the organisation and also importantly for me. I want to pursue new challenges, which is something I am excited about.

"I have enjoyed being chief executive and have worked collaboratively and positively with elected leaders over those seven years, together achieving positive change in the district.

"I am particularly proud of Dreamland; the multi agency task force and housing intervention programmes in Margate; Thanet Parkway; and of course more recently the Margate Town Deal and Levelling Up funds for both Ramsgate and Margate.

"I have proactively encouraged and supported Thanet’s excellent reputation for partnership working, including establishing the Thanet Leadership Group and East Kent Wellbeing & Health Partnership, which is now being incorporated into the East Kent Health & Care Partnership. More importantly, I have overseen the delivery of vital public services to our communities, including during the challenges presented to us all during the pandemic.

"I could not have done that without the positive support of the staff, they are a credit to the district and the council."