Brighton council recruitment costs actually £30,000

5:18pm Friday 31st August 2012 in News Exclusive By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

Recruitment costs for a new town hall chief will cost nearly twice as much as originally revealed.

A “Mod-inspired” advert for Brighton and Hove City Council’s new chief executive was made public last week as it looks for “a digitally savvy, forward thinking leader”.

At the time, the local authority said the private firm Gatenby Sanderson would be paid £18,000 to carry out the work.

But according to information revealed exclusively to The Argus, the total cost will actually come to nearly £30,000.

This is to cover the costs of a psychoanalysis test and advertising in national newspapers.

The Argus also understands a separate firm that offered to run the recruitment exercise gave a one-off guide cost of £15,000 yet was overlooked in favour of the more expensive option.

This is despite sources claiming the firms were offering similar services.

Some opposition councillors have questioned why, at a time when the local authority must find millions of pounds of savings, a more expensive option was chosen by the cross-party panel of councillors which will carry out the recruitment.

Labour councillor Gill Mitchell said: “They are companies fishing in the same pool of candidates so I went for the far cheaper option.”

Conservative councillor Ann Norman said: “In times of austerity and with finances under real pressure it would surely make more sense for the council’s own human resources department to be doing this rather than employing an expensive consultant.”

A council spokesman said: “Our residents deserve the best possible management and our chief executive oversees a budget of about £750 million, a workforce of 8,000 and the delivery of 800 services each day. It’s vital that we hire the right person.

“Gatenby Sanderson works closely with the council’s human resources department and offers independent, professional judgement and the ability to conduct a full national search to widen the pool for high performing candidates.

“A cross-party group of members was involved in the decision to hire an external recruitment consultant.”

The job’s salary is not known but is believed to be lower than the £161,500 paid to outgoing chief executive John Barradell.

Potential applicants have until midday on September 12 to apply for the role.

The final interviews will take place on October 3 in the Brighton Centre in front of a panel of three Green councillors, two Conservatives and one Labour member, with the council leader having the casting vote.

Comments(15)

pjwilk says...
5:26pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Sure know how to waste money.

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pjwilk says...
5:27pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Sure know how to waste money.

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pjwilk says...
5:27pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Sure know how to waste money.

Report this post »

pjwilk says...
5:27pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Sure know how to waste money.

Report this post »

pjwilk says...
5:27pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Sure know how to waste money.

Report this post »

pjwilk says...
5:28pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Sure know how to waste money.

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pjwilk says...
5:28pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Sure know how to waste money.

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Angryoldman says...
5:38pm Fri 31 Aug 12

That's because it's our money.

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george smith says...
6:11pm Fri 31 Aug 12

Surely under equality laws you cannot want an old mod inspired candidate, but old rockers inspired candidate as well. Even better cut out the smart trendy ad and just go for a bog standard ad that the LA could word themselves

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bogs says...
7:06pm Fri 31 Aug 12

If it cost's £30k to get a Brighton council leader, how much will a Hove council leader cost? What a wase of money regardless!!!

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bogs says...
7:06pm Fri 31 Aug 12

If it cost's £30k to get a Brighton council leader, how much will a Hove council leader cost? What a waste of money regardless!!!

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Dealing with idiots says...
9:30pm Fri 31 Aug 12

I love this 'This is to cover the costs of a psychoanalysis test'

Any one who wants to work with Jason and the astronauts will be totally certifiable. We all know why the previous incumbent left, he got fed up with being bullied by Jason, Ian and Phelim. They will be having their teeth pulled very soon though. Watch this space.

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Dealing with idiots says...
9:30pm Fri 31 Aug 12

I love this 'This is to cover the costs of a psychoanalysis test'

Any one who wants to work with Jason and the astronauts will be totally certifiable. We all know why the previous incumbent left, he got fed up with being bullied by Jason, Ian and Phelim. They will be having their teeth pulled very soon though. Watch this space.

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southwicker2 says...
8:45am Sat 1 Sep 12

How about just placing an advert in the recruitment pages. Having worked in recruitment advertising placing an ad in a paper such as The Sunday Times, I can tell you that this again is a fraction of £30k,,.but as Angryoldman pointed out, its OUR money, and we musn't forget how very easy it is to spend (waste) other peoples (Hard earned!!!) money,

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Dealing with idiots says...
8:47pm Sat 1 Sep 12

Still cheap though in comparison with the Jason Kitcat vanity memorial erection, sorry i360. Grannys go unwashed but we can borrow £17.5 million for a tower. Resign Jason.

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