THE shared chief executive of West Devon Borough and South Hams District Councils, is retiring tomorrow (Friday).

David Incoll joined West Devon as chief executive in 1997, and in 2007 was appointed chief executive for South Hams District Council in a shared role. The new position was one of the first such posts in the country.

Since his appointment to the dual role, he has been instrumental in overseeing the sharing of services between the two councils. West Devon and South Hams are now among the leading authorities in the country to pioneer shared services, which has already saved more than £1.5-million in three years.

Under Mr Incoll's stewardship, the performance of both councils has continuously improved. A national reputation index measuring how well local authorities stand within their communities ranked West Devon and South Hams among the top 20 of 350 councils in the country this year.

A keen advocate of partnership working, Mr Incoll has also encouraged both councils to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the community and voluntary sectors.

At West Devon, he says he is most proud of the economic legacy the borough council has achieved through working with partners which has led to such developments as Waitrose in Okehampton and the town's Parklands Leisure Centre.

Working in partnership with funding organisations, the council has developed employment space at Pitts Cleave in Tavistock and the Opportunity Okehampton Business Park to create new jobs.

Cllr James McInnes, Leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'I'm sure residents of West Devon wish David Incoll every happiness in his retirement. He has been a great advocate for the West Devon area, both locally and nationally.

'His drive and enthusiasm has been a key factor in West Devon delivering good quality services in a large rural area and his work in recent years as shared chief executive with South Hams has been at the forefront of local government.'

Mr Incoll said he will miss working with 'wonderful staff and public spirited councillors', as well as with all the parish and town councils and voluntary groups that do so much for the area.