Cabinet members considered Mr Barker’s voluntary early retirement at a meeting on April 10, and agreed that a new leader for Conwy was needed.

Minutes from the meeting read: “Whilst recognising the valuable contribution made by the Chief Executive during his period in office, the Cabinet considered that it would now be appropriate for the Chief Executive to retire.”

It was suggested by members of the Cabinet that Mr Barker’s early retirement would be “conducive to the efficient exercise of the Authority’s functions”.

And with a series of upcoming agenda changes affecting local authorities in general, with Conwy in particular, there was a need to have a Chief Executive with the “skills and experience” needed to meet those challenges.

Despite Cabinet’s support in Mr Barker leaving his position as Chief Executive of the Council, in the same meeting it was requested that he stay on in the role during the election period in May while a new Cabinet is assembled.

Although the matter has been discussed by Cabinet, it has not yet been formalised and is not expected to be confirmed until this summer.