Brighton and Hove council chief executive shortlist revealed

12:01pm Monday 24th September 2012 in News Exclusive By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

The search for a council chief overseeing a budget of more than £700 million has been narrowed down to four.

More than 20 people applied to become the next chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council.

Sources have confirmed to The Argus a shortlist including a quartet of women has been drawn up by private recruitment specialists to succeed John Barradell in the top job.

However, The Argus understands there was a political split in deciding which names to include on the final list. Last night the local authority said it would not be drawn on speculation and refused to confirm any names on the shortlist.

A statement said: “The recommended shortlist of candidates was agreed by the interview panel.”

But when asked if the selection of the full shortlist was unanimous, Conservative group leader Geoffrey Theobald said: “No”. He declined to make any further comment.

Labour group leader Gill Mitchell said: “The statement from the council press office is not only misleading, it’s untrue.

“There was no unanimity in the selection of shortlisted candidates.”

It is understood the disagreement was whether or not to include Lewes District Council chief executive Jenny Rowlands, who was the local authority’s former director of environment, on the final selection.

The Green administration’s three members had the casting vote on the panel of six.

Mark Turner, of GMB union, said: “None of these candidates seems to have experience or the expertise of knowing the political make-up of the city or bringing three separate political parties to the table.”

He added: “Of the names I have been made aware of, we have extreme concerns of some of the individuals as in their current roles they have led programmes which has seen services partly or fully packaged out to the private sector.

“The public should be very aware that we have already seen a service in this city put out to the private sector recently and that had to be brought back in house.”

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.

A council spokeswoman said: “Following the interviews the recommended candidate for the post of chief executive will be subject to full council agreement on October 25.”

THE SHORTLIST

Penelope Thompson, former chief executive of Hackney Borough Council and current CEO of General Social Care Council

Gill Steward, corporate director for communities, Cornwall County Council

Lyn Carpenter, bi-borough executive director for environment, leisure and residents’ services, Hammersmith & Fulham and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Nicola Yates, former chief executive, Hull City Council

Comments(8)

mnairb says...
1:29pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Greens prefer an all woman shortlist, then?

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NickBrt says...
1:40pm Mon 24 Sep 12

I understand selection crieteria were a) have you protested outside EDO b) havhe you protested outside Barclays c) have you welcomed travellers above all other peopel on earth d) do you support full legalisation of currently illegal drugs and e) do you absolutely adore Jason and Caroline.

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Martha Gunn says...
1:48pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Public affairs in our city get more and more murky under the regime of Lucas and the Kitcat Council.
There are now also widespread rumours of serious misrepresentation and bloated claims by the Green Party in the East Brighton election campaign. Their so-called dodgy leaflet distributed at the weekend is coming under intensive scrutiny.

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derekhunt says...
1:50pm Mon 24 Sep 12

I could not be more uninspired by the shortlist.

Bunch of yes men - none of them look like they've got any balls

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salty_pete says...
2:01pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Obviously Catherine Vaughan has far more sense than to apply for this poisoned chalice of a position whilst the Greens are in control. Which says much for her good judgement.

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SGK2000 says...
2:30pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Glad to see no local in-breds in there

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F in L says...
2:46pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Ms Yates left her £160,000-a-year job at the Guildhall at the weekend.

No official reason has been given for her shock exit.

Instead, a joint statement from Ms Yates and council leader Steve Brady, issued on Friday night, simply stated she was leaving immediately.

The Mail understands agreement was reached on a pay-off deal before her exit.

It is thought to include a payment in lieu of her working a period of notice together with additional pension fund payments.

Ms Yates earned £160,000 a year and was one of the highest-paid local government chief executives in the country. However, she is believed to have clashed with Labour leaders over a number of issues in recent months.

Most have centred on her budget- cutting proposals, which have been opposed by councillors.

At the same time, trades union officials took the unusual step of launching a personal attack on her handling of the issue.

Details of the payoff will not be revealed until mid 2013...

LOVELY!







Check out Lyn Carpenter in Hammersmith & Fulham £150k fFOR A BASIC ADMIN JOB – Bi-borough Executive Director for Environment, Leisure & Residents
Services..BIG MONEY HUH!



CORNWALL COUNCIL CHIEF OUTVOTED OF PRIVATISATION PLAN!
In July, the Cabinet at Cornwall Council paved the way for a joint venture partnership with a private company by inviting bids to run services including libraries, benefit payments, IT and payroll.

However, yesterday, following a tense three-and-a-half-hou
r debate at County Hall, it was defeated by Councillors......
During a presentation to the chamber, Gill Steward, corporate director communities, said:
"This is not outsourcing or privatisation of our services.

"It's creating a public/private partnership to deliver services for Cornwall."

With reference to libraries she said: "This contract, rather than detracting and reducing services, will enhance it, because our partner can invest in areas we can't such as updating our kiosks and e-books."

However, the majority of councillors could not be convinced the move was a step towards part-privatisation. Councillor Jeremy Rowe, who spoke in favour of the motion to defeat the measure, said he feared the deal would lead to the council losing control of other services.

He said: "If this isn't privatisation, then what on earth is it? Is this the thin edge of the wedge? In a few year's time will it be a case of 'that went well, let's carve up the rest'?

"This should be decided by the people of Cornwall and not the Cabinet."



Penelope Thompson, YES...She was the former chief executive of Hackney Borough Council in 2007! She 'RETIRED' from her £160,000 plus a year job. Not resigned... no money in that!

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pperrin says...
3:17pm Mon 24 Sep 12

One of the greens headline maifesto commitments was to bring in a living wage and cap top pay at no more than 8 times lowest pay (note 8 times not 10 times as sometimes claimed)

£7.20*35*52*8 = £105,000 per year for highest paid.

Can anyone confirm the greens are delivering on this promise and not offerkng any more than this for the CEO job?

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