Mr. Kelly joined Gateshead Council in 1987 as Deputy Director of Legal Services and was appointed Chief Executive in April 2004. He is also Chief Executive for Northumbria Police Authority and is Clerk to the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear.



He said: “I am extremely proud to have served Gateshead Council and to have worked alongside dedicated councillors and talented officers who tirelessly give their time and energy for the good of the area and the people they serve.



“Excellent services for local people, innovative, life enhancing regeneration projects and new ways of working have been the hallmark of my time at Gateshead.”



Throughout his time at Gateshead Council, Mr. Kelly has played a leading role in a number of major development and regeneration projects in Gateshead. These include the National Garden Festival and the redevelopment of Gateshead Quays, which now boasts the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and The Sage Gateshead.



During the eight years he has been Chief Executive, Mr. Kelly has seen the Council celebrate its 175th anniversary and work start on the £150million redevelopment at Trinity Square in Gateshead town centre.



Leader of Gateshead Council, Mick Henry, said: “Roger Kelly has achieved a great deal in his time as Chief Executive of Gateshead Council, not to mention in the many years that he directed our legal services. I’ve worked very closely with him for many years, and his dedication and commitment to improving Gateshead for everyone who lives, works and visits here is widely admired. I have the highest regard and respect for Roger, both professionally and personally, and wish him well in the future and thank him for his valuable contribution to Gateshead, to the North East and to Local Government.



“On Thursday 24 November, a full meeting of Gateshead Council will agree arrangements to appoint his replacement as soon as possible. Unprecedented budget cuts mean this is a challenging time for Gateshead, but we will work very closely with our new Chief Executive to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.”



Since Gateshead Council was formed in 1835, only nine people have taken on the role of either Chief Executive or Town Clerk.



Mr. Kelly studied law at the University of Liverpool before working as a solicitor with Durham County Council for nine years. He then worked for a mineral and development company as Company Secretary and Solicitor for two years.



He joined Gateshead Council as Deputy Director of Legal Services and was promoted to Director in 1990. He has been a qualified solicitor for more than 30 years.