ANOTHER row has broken out about senior officers at the town hall this time over new appointments following the early retirement of Charles Wilson.

The speedy top level reshuffle has upset both the Conservative and Independent groups who are worried that an increasingly aware public will view the appointments as "jobs for the boys."

Chief executive and city treasurer David Corker has taken on the role of returning officer and chief planning officer, Vic Crumley, is now acting director of development designate. Mike Jones, currently preparing the council's response to the District Auditor inquiry into Crinkley Bottom, has been made acting chief executive.

But opposition groups want to see the posts advertised nationally to ensure the best candidates are taken on.

"The Conservative group deplores the unseemly haste with which the controlling Labour group is filling posts made vacant following the resignation of Charles Wilson," said Conservative leader, James Airey. "Appointment to officers of senior positions in the town hall must always be made in a transparent manner from the widest field of candidates if the best interests of the electorate are to be served. Candidates appointed to all such positions, whether on an acting basis or permanent basis, must be seen to be awarded the post on merit and not just because "it's Biggins's turn next."

But Labour leader, Stanley Henig, claimed the Tories and Independents were misleading the public.

"Confronted with the premature retirement of Charles Wilson we need to make further temporary arrangements. The Conservatives and MBIs are proposing we should not do this and should operate without a director of development until a permanent appointment can be made. Their proposal can only be described as lunatic."

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