Cheshire East's head of democratic services has retired after a 41-year career in local government without ever taking a day off work sick.

Brian Reed began his career with North East Derbyshire District Council before moving to Chester City and later Cheshire County Council, just as local government reorganisation was under way.

"One of my first roles (at CCC) was to run the team that created the constitutions for Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West & Chester Council," he said.

"We introduced new constitutions within eight months for two major authorities, which was a real achievement."

Brian has seen many changes during his years in local government – some good, others not so.

He recalls during the 'old days' there were no computers and everything was handwritten memos, with carbon copy back-ups.

"The memo was taken to a post room, taken away on a trolley, and about 10 days later you might receive a response," he said.

"Now, of course the expectation is there will be a response almost instantaneously to questions."

He said one of the other big changes is the improvement in productivity.

"When I joined Cheshire East, and we first set up the dem services team, we had twice as many staff as we now do, and that's a product of looking at the way things work, making sure that we deliver efficiencies," said Brian.

He said council staff often work more than their contracted hours without being paid extra.

And he has nothing but praise for councillors.

"Many people complain that a councillor receives about £12,800 as a basic allowance, but most of the councillors I speak to tell me that they're working full-time hours," he said.

Another big change is technology and AI.

Gone are the days of trawling through law books.

"Now, you can use the online version of the legislation, but we have to take great care because AI, as we all know, can make things up," he said.

One change for the worse, is the harassment and intimidation of council members and officers, especially on social media.

"Back in 1985, it seemed to be a much more respectful place to be in local government than it is for many officers and members across the whole country in 2026," he said.

Recently one of his female staff members walking alone was followed across town by someone filming her.

"Why it is that people feel they have the right to do things like that?" he asked.

"So, I think it's time for a reset, and I think it's right that local authorities nationally are beginning to do that."

One of Brian's key roles as head of democratic services was running the elections.

"We've got 320,000 electors in Cheshire East, we have 320 polling stations and the logistics behind that are just truly enormous," he said.

"The team are working day and night, literally every day for weeks before that election.

"No weekends off, working the evenings, and then they go into the count.

"And the last big count I did was a 40-hour day after all of that preparation."

It is also the role of democratic services to make sure decisions at meetings are made correctly and legally and that the council's constitution is properly observed.

Brian says he will miss the council and the people he has worked with.

"Cheshire East comprises many, many people who are so hardworking, so good, so kind, so well-intentioned and so committed. I wish that that could be seen," he said.

But now he plans to take things a little easier.

"It's going to be an interesting and exciting challenge to get out of that institutionalised way of working, and to start to think about enjoying daily existence rather than just concentrating with a passion on working hard and getting stuff done," he said.