A LEADING county councillor said she was disappointed that an interim director drafted in to identify an additional £15m in savings has left.

Mark Stone was hired on a 12-month contract in May as the new ‘interim transformation director’.

His priority was be to help the county council plug a £15m gap in its finances, including almost £10.4m that must be found by next February.

Liz Brighouse, leader of the council’s Labour group, said: “I am disappointed that Mark has left - there are enormous financial challenges and he did a lot of work on the council’s property portfolio.

“His departure will put pressure on other senior managers.”

County council spokesman Paul Smith said Mr Stone joined the council on May 9 and it was agreed beforehand that the contract could be ended at a month’s notice at any time during the 12 months.

He added: “We’ve benefitted significantly from Mark Stone’s input, which was always on a temporary basis.

“Mark has now completed his work on establishing the transformation programme and we’ve agreed that he will now move on to his next role.”

Mr Smith added that the council had been due to review the programme’s work after six months but reached this stage after four and a half months last week.

The spokesman added that Mr Stone joined the council on May 9 and will stop being paid by the council early next month.

Mr Stone being given notice was “mutually agreed” said Mr Smith, with senior managers picking up the work.