THE third of three high-ranking Cheshire East Council officers suspended in 2017 has resigned.

Peter Bates, chief operating officer, has stepped down with immediate effect today, April 8 – having been suspended from the local authority in December 2017.

A CEC spokesman said: “The council’s chief operating officer, Peter Bates, has decided to leave his employment with CEC with effect from April 8, 2019.

“As a matter of policy, CEC does not comment on individual staffing matters.”

Mr Bates was one of three top officers to be suspended by CEC two years ago.

Mike Suarez, former chief executive at CEC, was suspended in April 2017 and resigned last July.

Bill Norman, former head of legal services, resigned in December 2017 after being suspended in July 2017.