THURROCK councillors have agreed a timetable to recruit the authority's first chief executive since Government intervention, despite concerns over the cost of a possibly short-term appointment.

Members of the general services committee met to consider proposals for appointing a permanent chief executive, a role currently held on an interim basis by managing director commissioner Dr Dave Smith, who earns around £250,000 a year.

The Government granted permission in January for Thurrock to start recruiting its own head of paid service as part of its recovery from severe financial failings.

However, Independent councillor Neil Speight questioned why an executive search agency had already been appointed when the committee was only being asked to endorse the recruitment timetable.

He said: "The timetable's already been implemented and you've already spent money appointing an agency. Who authorised doing that? What is the point of bringing us in here and asking us to look at a timetable when you've already set down the first road of it?"

Labour and Conservative councillors backed the plan to appoint a short term CEO, which councill Neil Speight says will cost at least £250,00

Cllr Speight, who also argued that Thurrock does not need a new chief executive, said the council's senior leadership team was capable of leading the authority through the next two years of change under Local Government Reorganisation which will see the authority abolished and replaced with South West Essex Council.

He warned the post was likely to be short term and questioned whether high quality candidates would apply.

advertisement

"We're asking our residents to make enormous sacrifices," he said.

"I see no meaningful, strategic or impactful benefit to appointing a short term CEO for at most 18 months. Suffolk made the decision to rely on their existing staff, but here you're telling us ours can't fill the gap. I think that's an insult."

Watch the meeting and clash of opinions here:-

Dr Smith said the commissioners had used their legal powers under Government directions to appoint a recruitment firm, arguing the council needed the capacity and leadership stability a permanent chief executive would bring.

He added: "It's appropriate to appoint a chief executive to lead the council through a very challenging period," including delivering £30 million more savings, completing the transformation programme and preparing for expected local government reorganisation.

Labour leader Cllr Lynn Worrall backed the move, saying the Government had recognised Thurrock's progress.

"I never thought we would be sitting here tonight talking about agreeing a timetable to go out and see what the field's like," she said.

"We've come far enough to stand on our own two feet."

advertisement

Cllr Speight proposed abandoning the timetable and allow commissioners to make an appointment, but his amendment was not seconded. The committee approved the recruitment schedule, with the aim of making an appointment in July.