Chief executive of Somerset County Council, Alan Jones, has announced he will leave the authority after six years.

Following discussions with the new Conservative leader of the council, Ken Maddock, about the future direction of the council an agreement has been reached that Mr Jones will retire from his current post from July 31 – his role will be taken over by the deputy chief executive, David Taylor, on an acting basis.

Mr Jones said he has enjoyed his time in Somerset and acknowledged that the new leader of the council should be able to choose his own chief executive: "I feel that I have achieved everything that I was employed to do and the council is now at the top of its game. When I first arrived I was challenged to raise the rating of the county to the very top – and I have achieved that. There couldn't be a better time for me to look for a different challenge."

Mr Maddock said his new administration was looking for a change in direction with a new set of priorities. He paid tribute to Mr Jones: "There is no doubt that the County Council has become a more effective and highly-rated Authority. Alan has played a big part in that transformation. Having made his contribution, this is a good time for Alan to move on."

In his time at the helm, Mr Jones led the team that took Somerset County Council from a two star "fair" authority to a "four star and improving strongly" rating, one of the highest performing in the country. He worked closely with the former Liberal Democrat Council Leader, Jill Shortland: "Alan has made a huge impact on Somerset and has been an outstanding Chief Executive, building a strong team around him. Alan's approachable, friendly and supportive style has made this Council the sort of place where staff, managers and councillors now work together as one team."