SENIOR councillors will once again sit down and try to find a new director of children's services for the authority today (Monday, 3 February).

The council's general services committee which consists of the leading members of the ruling Conservative group and representatives of other parties, last met in November.

There is just one significant item on tonight's meeting - to consider the 'long list' for the recruitment of the corporate director of children's services.

The department has been without a full time leader for many months after councillors blocked chief executive Lyn Carpenter's plan to make the post just one of a number of roles for a senior officer. See story via the red button link below.

In June last year at a full council meeting her proposal to add children's services to the workload of existing director Roger Harris was rejected by a majority of members – and even those who voted for it, slammed her for her lack of consultation.

Last month should have seen an appointment of a new director when the long list was whittled down to two candidates - but then both withdrew, so the whole process had to be restarted.

Tonight's meeting is expected to be held behind closed doors with the press and public barred.