Sunday 4 March 2018

Former Northumberland County Council CEO dies suddenly

Steve Stewart, the former chief executive of Northumberland County Council,  has died suddenly at the age of 64.
Steve Stewart was CEO, during the time I  was Joint Branch Secretary of the UNISON Northumberland County branch, Steve was at the helm during Local Government reorganisation, the implementation of Single Status, Essential Car Users dispute,  pension dispute and the privatisation plans for transactional services which we opposed and overturned. I found Steve very approachable and he tried to change the culture during his time in Northumberland - which to a certain extent he achieved. We may of had different opposing views but he believed in the Trade Union movement which was helpful to our industrial relations involvement. A keen Sunderland supporter, it often give us a reason to have social discussion outside the normal work stuff.
His death was announced by Worcestershire County Council, where he was interim chief executive, on Thursday evening.
The notice read: 'It is with deep sadness we announce that Steve Stewart, interim chief executive of Worcestershire County Council, has passed away. Steve joined the council in May last year, making a big contribution during his time in the county. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.'
He was previously assistant chief executive at Northamptonshire County Council and also held top roles at councils in Wakefield and Leeds, Sunderland and York.
He opted to leave Northumberland council in November 2013 shortly after the Essential Car Users dispute and under the Labour administration.

My thoughts are with Steve's family and close friends at this difficult time.  RIP