THE MOVE to appoint a joint chief executive to manage Malvern Hills and Wychavon district councils has been delayed by at least two weeks.
It was originally planned for the new post to be established by Wednesday, October 1, but now the appointments panel will not deliver their report recommending who should be hired for the position until mid-October. Both councils will then vote on the proposal.
The controlling Conservative group at Malvern Hills District Council blamed opposition councillors from the Democratic and Liberal Democrat groups for the delay, due to extra meetings which have been held in recent months where both groups have called for the move to be halted for other options to be explored.
Council leader David Hughes said: “We’re pleased that the process is now in full swing and that recommendations from the appointments panel will be made to the next council meetings at both councils.”
Coun Paul Middlebrough, leader of Wychavon District Council, echoed the comments although he said it was ‘regrettable’ the move had been delayed.
A spokeswoman for both councils said the current chief executives Chris Bocock (Malvern) and Jack Hegarty (Wychavon), who are the only candidates for the new position, were due to be interviewed this week.
On Friday (September 19) the councils’ appointments panel met to discuss the formal job description for the position.
Coun Julian Roskams, leader of the Democratic Group at Malvern, claimed the move was still proceeding too quickly despite the latest push back.
He said: “With reckless haste, using hundreds of thousands of pounds of our money, having considered no other option and no other candidates, the Tory administration is pressing ahead with the appointment of a shared CEO.
“The opposition groups have pledged to reverse this reckless gamble with the future of our council, its services and its staff.”
