THE chief executive of Denbighshire County Council is leaving her role.

The local authority said Judith Greenhalgh will leave her role on April 6 after nearly three years in the post to take a career break for "personal reasons".

A spokesperson for the council said: "The council would like to thank Judith for her contribution during her time with Denbighshire County Council and wish her all the very best for the future."

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: "We will be taking steps to recruit a new CEO over the coming months. Our two Corporate Directors will assume leadership responsibilities, supported by the Senior Leadership Team, until such time as the new CEO is in post.

"Meanwhile, all Denbighshire officers and elected members continue to work together to fulfil our commitment to deliver the best possible service to residents".

In January, the Journal reported that Ms Greenhalgh was leading an investigation following claims that Denbighshire Council staff had received Covid vaccinations, despite being ineligible.

It was alleged that some council staff, not within the first two cohorts due the vaccination, managed to book appointments by following a link in an email only intended for the recipient.

Denbighshire council said it had warned staff the emails were not to be abused, although it's not clear whether anyone not entitled succeeded in getting a Covid jab.

Ms Greenhalgh, previously director of corporate resources at Derbyshire County Council, took over the £127,000-a-year chief executive role from Dr Mohammed Mehmet. The job is based at the council’s headquarters at County Hall, Ruthin.

Ms Greenhalgh is a former deputy chief executive of the Manchester Probation Service.