THE chief executive of Waltham Forest Council has left the authority, the Guardian understands.

A number of council sources say Andrew Kilburn has left the post after just over a year, with a six-figure financial settlement already agreed.

But a spokesman for the authority said Mr Kilburn is simply on holiday, although he could not confirm when he will return or who is acting chief executive in his absence.

Mr Kilburn ordered the first independent review of council contracts following the scandal over the mis-use of regeneration funds, which uncovered a long-running “culture of non-compliance” with rules to prevent fraud among council officers.

He pledged to clean up the council and ensure the mistakes would not be repeated.

The damning findings prompted council leader Chris Robbins to issue an apology on behalf of the authority and promise a new era of openness and transparency.

Mr Kilburn's decision to order the review was believed to have been unpopular with some senior officers and leading councillors.

As acting Returning Officer during the last election, Mr Kilburn was forced to admit that a counting mistake in High Street ward may have influenced the result.