ONE of York’s most senior and well-respected public servants is to retire, having worked at City of York Council since the day it was formed.

Bill Woolley, the council’s deputy chief executive and director of city and environmental services, will leave the authority this summer, he announced today.

Mr Woolley, 60, has worked for the council for 16 years, since its inception as a unitary authority in 1996, and has worked on a range of major projects in the city over the past 16 years, including the Millennium Bridge, Foss Islands Shopping centre, the Hungate regeneration and the restoration of West Offices in Station Rise.

Mr Woolley was tasked with rescuing the council’s move to new headquarters in 2008, after the original Hungate project led by the property department ran into crisis, and he has spearheaded the replacement project at West Offices. He was also heavily involved in the Future York economic report.

Mr Woolley said: “Working for a city which I know so well and love has been a real privilege for me over so many years. York is such a special place and at the same time such an exciting place and helping to shape its future has been very rewarding.

“I am also leaving at a time when the city is in good shape, in good hands and looking well for the future and so now is a good time for me to go and enjoy other things.”

Kersten England, the council’s chief executive, said Mr Woolley had been an “invaluable support,” particularly when she was new to the city and job in 2009. She said: “His extensive knowledge and understanding of the city helped me to establish myself with key organisations and people outside the council. I am indebted to him and will miss him as a colleague.”

Council leader James Alexander and opposition leader Ian Gillies also paid tribute.

Coun Alexander said: “Bill has made a fantastic contribution to the city over the past 16 years and his presence at the council will certainly be missed. At all levels he has worked at for the authority he’s made a real difference and I know he is well regarded by his staff, which is testament to his standing and professionalism in the council. I wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Coun Gillies added: “Bill has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the city for many years. He is held in high regard by those he comes in contact with, and he will be sorely missed.“

Lib Dem leader Carol Runciman said many of the party's councillors had worked closely with Mr Woolley, and said: "We all know and appreciate the wealth of knowledge that Bill has and the major contribution he has made to the city and its future.

"He will be very hard to replace. We hope that he will have a very long, healthy and happy retirement."

Mrs England will prepare a report for the councillors in April, addressing the recruitment of a replacement for Mr Woolley.