A top council stalwart is set to retire from the role of Bucks County Council chief executive next March after 15 years in the role.

Chris Williams is one of the longest-serving county chief executives in the country, but has now announced he will step down in March 2016.

The 67-year-old began his career as a town planner with Glamorgan County Council in 1989 before he became Buckinghamshire’s chief executive in 2000.

He said: “Working for Buckinghamshire has been one of the most enjoyable periods of my career, and I am very proud of what the Council and all of its employees has achieved.

“We are recognised as one of the best and most innovative councils in the whole country.

“We have continued to deliver high quality services to the people of Buckinghamshire despite many years of austerity.

“I’ve been privileged to work with such a highly skilled and motivated senior management team and all of our incredibly dedicated employees, who will continue to serve all who live and work in Buckinghamshire.”

Prior to becoming BCC’s chief executive, Chris was the council’s director of environmental services from 1996.

He has held a number of directorships of environmental, business, European and community safety organisations in Sussex, Buckinghamshire and across the Thames Valley.

BCC leader, Cllr Martin Tett, praised Mr Williams for his work, saying he has been a “first class chief executive”.

He added: “Under his leadership, the Council has consistently been rated as one of the highest performing County Councils in England, and Chris has always demonstrated an unswerving commitment to improving lives for Buckinghamshire’s residents.

“Chris is a well-respected figure in local government and he will be very much missed by colleagues. We all wish him a long and happy retirement.”