ONE of West Somerset's longest serving council workers has retired at the top after almost 40 years of service to the district.

Adrian Dyer bowed out as an executive director, having previously taken the helm of West Somerset Council as chief executive from 2010.

Prior to that he was a corporate director, a financial services manager, assistant treasurer - and a rebate assistant when he started with the authority back in the spring of 1975.

Councillors from across the political spectrum heaped praise on him at his final full council meeting last week and at a retirement presentation in the council offices last Thursday, when councillors oast and present gave him a watch.

He received other gifts from staff members on his final day last Friday.

Council chairman Cllr Stuart Dowding said Mr Dyer had been through "thick and thin" with the authority and all councillors owed him a huge debt for his service.

Council leader Cllr Tim Taylor praised Mr Dyer's commitment to the authority, which saw his position as chief executive deleted when West Somerset agreed to joint working with neighbouring Taunton Deane Borough Council.

Penny James was appointed as joint chief executive of both authorities last year, with Mr Dyer staying on for a few months to tie up loose ends and oversee asset sale negotiations.

"In these last few years he has been outstanding in his approach to the problems facing this council," said Cllr Taylor.

"He has given outstanding service, culminating in the partnership of this council with Taunton Deane which has enabled us to move forward."

Past councillors also wished Mr Dyer well, with former leader Cllr Steven Pugsley describing him as "diligent, decisive, dedicated Dyer".

Past council chairman Viv Brewer was invited back to the authority to make the official retirement presentation.

"I started a year after Adrian and that seems a very long time ago," he said.

"I greatly admire anyone who comes through the ranks like he has done - starting as a private and coming through as a general.

"He was always a dedicated member of this authority and he's done a very good job and we wish him the best of luck and best of health in his retirement."

Mr Dyer thanked councillors for their kind words and said he had many memories - good and bad - of his time at the authority.

"I do think an awful lot of West Somerset and it's going to feel strange walking out the door for the last time," he said.

"I have really enjoyed working here and working with the people here.

"It has been particularly satisfying helping to transform what was a failing organisation into an organisation that can now hold its head high and, with luck, will be able to hold it even higher in

And he assured members he had no intentions of standing for election as a councillor in the future, adding: "I won't be back!"

Photo: Steve Guscott