One of Wiltshire's highest-earning public officials is to leave Wiltshire Council.

Associate director for the council’s Transformation Programme Mark Stone, who earns up to £128,000 per year, will be stepping down on July 11.

Mr Stone has been in the role since 2008, and was responsible for overseeing the creation of the council following the amalgamation of the former Wiltshire district councils, and its recent reorganisation into its three main hubs in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Salisbury.

A message to councillors from corporate directors Carlton Brand, Carolyn Godfrey and Maggie Rae said: “We would like to reassure you that the transformation programme is a key area of work for the organisation and arrangements are being made to ensure a smooth transition of roles and responsibilities to continue to deliver this successful programme.

“We will publish the revised roles and responsibilities, as soon as these have been finalised. In the meantime, all staff and partner organisations working on the programme will also be updated.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for his contribution to the organisation since 2008 and we wish him well for the future.”

Earlier this month Ms Rae defended the council’s salaries of over £100,000 for its top officials, when she addressed MPs at a parliamentary hearing in Westminster.