THE top boss at North Yorkshire County Council is stepping down.

John Marsden, the authority’s chief executive, will leave in March, after four-and-a-half years in the job.

He is becoming chief executive for North Tyneside Council for a year.

Mr Marsden said: “It will be with mixed feelings that I leave North Yorkshire County Council, having worked with dedicated staff and councillors who passionately believe in what they do for the residents of North Yorkshire.

“I am proud to have worked for the council and been part of its recent successes.”

He said he had planned to leave the council next year anyway, but said the short-term opportunity at Tyneside had brought his decision forward. Council leader John Weighell paid tribute to Mr Marsden, saying: “North Yorkshire has achieved a great deal under John Marsden’s leadership over the last few years and he is widely respected across the county and in the wider region.

“He has been highly effective and developed an excellent relationship with the council’s members. Only last week he received an award for his commitment to the development of local government in the region.

“It was always John’s intention to stay with North Yorkshire for no more than five years, but we will be sorry to see him go and he will be a hard act to follow. We wish him well in the future.”