The chief executive of Wirral Council has revealed he will be stepping down.

Eric Robinson, who has worked as CEO of Wirral Council for four years, will join the Disclosure and Barring Service (BDS) as its new chief executive officer later in the summer.

Mr Robinson joined Wirral Council on a starting salary of £175,000 in 2015 while the Tax Payers’ Alliance (TPA) Town Hall Rich List revealed he took home £192,256 in 2016/17.

His appointment has been approved by the secretary of state for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability Victoria Atkins.

In an email sent by Mr Robinson to Wirral Council staff he says that he believes that "Wirral and Wirral Council, is in a better place now than it was four years ago."

He said: "The Disclosure and Barring Service is the biggest national organisation of its kind. Its role is to help organisations make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable people. It deals with more than four million people every year.

"I have worked in safeguarding all my career, from being a social worker, Director of Children’s Services, Director of Adults Services, and now a Chief Executive.

"Making people safer is something I am passionate about, and I believe I have a successful track record."

He continued: "While I am immensely excited about taking this opportunity, I am very sad to be leaving Wirral. I am proud of what we have achieved together these past four years.

"We’ve managed our budget, making considerable savings along the way.

"We have done this while closing no services and while making no compulsory redundancies.

"At the same time, we’ve improved performance, and developed great and productive partnerships – both locally and across the Liverpool City Region.

"We have also delivered a major transformation agenda, integrating our adult social care with the NHS, our community safety services with the Police and we have set up new and exciting regeneration opportunities, most notably through Wirral Growth Company.

"I truly believe Wirral, and Wirral Council, is in a better place now than it was four years ago.

"It has been a pleasure to work with you all. I count myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work in such a fantastic place, with such talented and dedicated people.

"I want to thank you all for your support during this time and wish you nothing but the best in the future."

Over the years Mr Robinson has held posts such as corporate director for social care and health plus director of social services for Cambridgeshire County Council.

Messages from Wirral's local leaders

Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Pat Hackett said: “I want to thank Eric for everything he’s done at Wirral Council.

"He’s been a dedicated chief executive, who has worked tirelessly to improve services and make Wirral a better place.

"He leaves with our sincere thanks and best wishes for the future.”

Leader of Wirral Conservatives, Cllr Ian Lewis told the Globe: “On a personal level, I send my congratulations to Eric for securing his new, high profile position with the Disclosure and Barring Service and thank him for all his work as Chief Executive of Wirral Borough Council.

“His departure means the Council now has the opportunity to consider whether we need to recruit a successor or, with nine senior directors remaining, a more radical solution would be to delete the post of Chief Executive altogether.”

Leader of the local Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Phil Gilchrist said: "Mr Robinson’s arrival gave Wirral with some stability after a period of upheaval and uncertainty.

"His experience of close working with the NHS, social and caring services, in his former job, was valuable.  

"He helped Wirral bring these organisations closer together here, thus benefitting all."