Welshpool Town Council has confirmed that its town clerk, Robert Robinson, will be retiring.

However, he will not step down straight away, as he plans to gradually reduce his commitment to the role until the changes to town and community councils have unfolded.

The council will be advertising for a senior officer in the coming few weeks, with the aim for them to join the council staff in April 2019.

The council has said that this person is likely to come from private industry with a business background and may well be a chartered surveyor.

Mr Robinson will still head up the council alongside the new appointment of a deputy for approximately six months, after which he will be reducing his commitment to three days a week.

This will happen as the future of town and community councils unfolds. Once it does, the final retirement date for Mr Robinson will be set; likely to be in 2020 or 2021.

Over the coming few years a new executive officer will be appointed to take over from Mr Robinson.

Mayor of Welshpool, Cllr Steven Kaye said: “This is going to be no easy task as his experience and commitment is exceptional.

“The council is grateful to Mr Robinson for his commitment and for his offer to withdraw slowly so that there is a gradual handover of the council administration and services.

“He will work with the councillors to create a structure ready for his replacement.

“More importantly it will give stability to the council staff and councillors. In turn this will be good for Welshpool.”

As Mr Robinson “made a promise” to his staff that he wouldn’t leave until a replacement was found, he said: “I may even be here a bit longer.”

Mr Robinson was initially going to retire in June 2017, but Welshpool Town Council decided against it. He said that now is “the right time”.

The council approved Mr Robinson’s retirement plan a few weeks ago, but didn’t want to publicise his retirement straight away. Mr Robinson said that this was so he could personally inform all of his members of staff first, instead of them finding out on social media.