SIX months after the last local elections councillors have this week announced their intentions of a major management review at the town hall.

During the last meeting of the full council members agreed to advertise the town hall's top post of chief executive, currently held on a temporary basis by the city's treasurer, David Corker.

The council has a number of heads of service who are currently in temporary positions and these posts will also be under review as Lancaster approaches a Whitehall initiative for modernising local government.

In a heated debate lasting nearly five hours, the Greens, MBIs and Conservatives fended off a concerted attempt by Labour and the Lib Dems to maintain the status quo and keep the current top slot as it stands until a management review had been carried out.

Commenting on the decision to advertise the authority's top job Cllr Roger Mace for the Tories explained: "We have consistently said that public interest requires that we should have open competition for this important post. The job description should be precisely defined with a modern approach and the flexibility to cope.

"Labour's arguments were merely delaying tactics and advertising the job now will make it more attractive than at a later stage."

Whoever gets the top job will start work on April 1 next year and will become the authority's fourth chief executive in as many years.

Cllr Jon Barry for the Greens commented: "Whatever happens to the democratic and management structure at he council, we will still need a chief executive and it's important that the person has the skills and vision to help us through the coming changes.

As far as the other posts are concerned we do not wish to fill them until a proper review has been conducted and the sooner the better.

"If it emerges we have too many managers we should re-deploy the cash to core services like mending the pavements, maintaining parks and clearing the rubbish."

For the MBI, leader Clr Tricia Heath added: "We're in favour of a complete review which is in the interests of both the town hall staff and the public at large."

Following the departure of former town clerk Bill Pearson, the job was given to John Burrows, who left with £100,000 pay-off after just 18 months - the reasons why still remain shrouded in secrecy. Those duties were then divided up between David Corker and former development director, Charles Wilson, who has since taken early retirement.

Mr Corker refused to comment publicly on whether he will be applying for the post he currently holds.

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