Council director retires after 30 years of service

Archived press release

Date Published: 30/12/08

Mr Skedge joined AVDC in 1978

After 30 years of service to Aylesbury Vale, one of the district council’s directors is to retire this week.

Norman Skedge, Corporate Director of Development, has played an instrumental role in the regeneration of the district.

He joined AVDC in 1978 as Chief Environmental Health Officer after 13 years’ service at Wycombe District Council.

Mr Skedge, who is 62, became Director of Housing, Health and Leisure in 1988 and then Director of Planning, Property and Construction Services in 2000. He has held his present position of Corporate Director of Development since 2005.

In recent years he has overseen the Waterside scheme in Aylesbury, which will see the creation of a new shopping area and first-class theatre in Exchange Street and housing developments alongside the canal and at Circus Field.

He also had a key role in projects such as the Aqua Vale and Swan Pool leisure centres, Kingsbury in Aylesbury and the Queens Park General Improvement Area.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, paid tribute to Mr Skedge and all of his work over the years. “Norman has been a loyal and committed servant to Aylesbury Vale and its residents,” he said. “He has brought imagination and innovation to services he managed and was always focused on delivering excellent services to the district’s residents. He has also led some very important projects with skill and enthusiasm. He will be very much missed and we wish him a great deal of happiness in his retirement.”

Mr Skedge said: “The very nature of the work I am involved in is long-term and much is ongoing and remains to be done. There is never a perfect time to leave but wherever I can continue to be of assistance to the district and the council I will. I have had the opportunity to be involved in some fantastic work over the past 30 years and have had the privilege to lead a great team. I hope and believe that I have been able to make a difference to the lives of the people of Aylesbury Vale.”

Mr Skedge’s last day is on 2 January 2009. He plans to continue to help the council with some aspects of the Waterside project, spend more time with his family and pursue his interest in travel.