By Jenny Barwise

Last updated 10:12, Wednesday, 19 November 2008

The chief executive of Copeland council will be off work for the next few months after being diagnosed with a serious blood condition.

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Copeland Borough Council’s chief executive, Liam Murphy,

Liam Murphy, 44, will undergo extensive treatment for Myeloma, which is treatable.

Leader of the council, Elaine Woodburn, said: “Our good wishes go to Liam and his family as they face this difficult time.

“After working closely with Liam I know he will face this challenge as he has others, with courage and tenacity and will come back even stronger.”

Councillors will meet soon to put final interim arrangements in place.

In the meantime, Fergus McMorrow, director of development, will cover Mr Murphy’s duties as acting head of paid service.

Mr Murphy joined the authority in June 2006. Before taking up the post he was head of regeneration at Leeds City Council.

He has an honours degree in social sciences and a masters degrees in politics and sociology. He started his career as a research officer in applied economics at the University of Leeds before being appointed a lecturer and principal lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University.

He joined Deloitte & Touche – one of the UK’s leading management consultancies – as a consultant in 1999 before moving to Liverpool City Council in 2001 as an executive director.