Plans for Shrewsbury’s new town council have been dealt a blow after one of the key figures behind a host of multi-million pound projects announced he is to go.
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council’s assistant manager, Andy Goldsmith, has said he is leaving his role in early August after 13 years.
He is moving with his family to work for Pembrokeshire County Council as the head of public protection. Mr Goldsmith has held several positions at SABC and has been involved with many high profile projects including the £30 million construction of Theatre Severn, the £7 million sale of the Tesco site at Arlington Way, and the £2 million sale of the Barker Street car park.
In recent months he has been leading on plans for the move to a unitary council due to be established in Shropshire next April. Mr Goldsmith said: “The move to unitary started me thinking, but I’m moving on for career progression and further opportunities in a very nice part of the country. I will miss the people in Shrewsbury though.”
He said he is pleased to have had such an impact in the town and remembers his major achievements as the opening of the sports village, working towards the council getting an excellent CPA assessment, and the delivery of more than 400 affordable homes in the borough.
Borough manager Geraint Morgan said Mr Goldsmith’s departure would be a blow, but plans are being drawn up for replacing him. “It’s likely we will just relocate some of Andy’s responsibilities to see us through to next April.
“We wish him and his family every success in his new appointment in Pembrokeshire,” he added.