A SECOND series of top jobs have been put up for grabs by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

It is advertising for four directors to take control of its personnel, finance, policy and services departments.

The posts have become available months after five senior jobs, including chief executive of the new single status council, were advertised.

The aim is to have the new directors in place as soon as possible as preparations get underway for the council winning unitary status.

Andrew Boatswain, a Swansea based consultant, has been employed to oversee the appointment of the top officials.

Interviews for the new £80,000 a year chief executive post are expected to take place later this month.

And Mr Boatswain, who runs Solace Enterprises Ltd, is also organising interviews for three new executive directors. They will help decide policy for Blackburn With Darwen Council, answerable directly to the chief executive.

The latest jobs to be advertised all offer salaries between £48,000 and £61,000 per year.

Councillors are set to put the finishing touches to the structure of the new council when they meet next week.

Newly-elected members of the shadow council will agree to a timetable for the new committee structure at the annual council meeting.

The increase in duties carried out by the unitary authority means the number of committee meetings and working groups is set to double.

Labour, who returned to power with an increased majority at Blackburn Town Hall, is also set to name its leadership team in the next two weeks.

The ruling group has to appoint a leader along with chairmen and vice-chairmen for all the new committees.

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