WYCOMBE District Council's chief executive, Richard Cummins, is leaving his £100,000 plus a year job at the end of next month after 15 years at the top.

Now 57, Mr Cummins could have stayed on until he reached 65.

But the council is restructuring its top jobs and the chief's post will be very different from the wide-ranging one Mr Cummins is used to. He has decided to go, saying there are other things he wants to concentrate on.

Mr Cummins, who is experienced and nationally influential, will receive a package of benefits, which are not being revealed.

He is chief officer for ACTVAR, the association of local councils in Thames Valley, and treasurer of the society of local government chief executives and a member of the Youth Offending Board. He works with other Buckinghamshire council chiefs and leaders and has led the Wycombe strategic partnership.

However, since the cabinet system of local government was introduced, councillors are meant to lead, not officers.

Under a system called Managed Change, being brought in by the cabinet instead of a chief executive, plus four directors there will be a chief, plus two. And instead of 19 heads of service, there will be ten.

Lesley Clarke, leader of the council, denied comments made to the Free Press by some backbench members that she and Mr Cummins did not get on over Managed Change. Nothing acrimonious had led to his decision to leave, she said.

He could have stayed if he had been prepared to accept the significantly changed role, she said.

Mr Cummins said things were going well in the town, the council had been scored as "good" in its performance assessment and was well known nationally.

But big changes ahead would take four or five years to bring about.

"I have been here 15 years, which is a long innings and now is the time to go if I am to do something else," he said.

Other top officers who leave under Managed Change may also get remuneration packages. Cllr Clarke said no decisions had been made about these jobs yet.

Mr Cummins' package was agreed by a small panel chaired by Independent councillor Malcolm Blanksby. The agreement, but not the financial details, was backed by the council in a confidential session earlier this month.

Some councillors want to know all the details, saying it is taxpayers' money that is being spent. But details are subject to a confidentiality clause.

Cllr Clarke said: "I acknowledge and pay tribute to Richard's integrity, hard work and leadership qualities.

"The council has won many awards while maintaining a low council tax over his period of stewardship. He worked to support the council, and all the people of Wycombe. I wish him every success."

Mr Cummins said: "I am sorry to be leaving behind so many first rate colleagues both members and staff.

"This council has had tremendous success over recent years, and I have enjoyed being in a key position in helping us to achieve this."