by Iain Robinson

STOKE-ON-TRENT City Council has re-started the process of recruiting a new permanent chief executive on a £195,000 salary.

The authority initially advertised the post in January, six months after its last permanent top officer, council manager Steve Robinson, announced he was resigning to run the new Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Since October, the city has been run by interim council manager and chief executive Chris Harman, supported by interim assistant chief executive Mike Maunder.

The initial recruitment process was stopped in March on the advice of legal experts, following the arrests of the then elected mayor Mark Meredith and former Conservative and Independent Alliance leader councillor Roger Ibbs.

The pair, who have not been charged and deny any wrongdoing, were members of the appointments committee. However, following the switch from the elected mayor to the council leader system of governance on June 8, a new human resources committee was set up.

At its first meeting last Monday, the committee agreed to restart the recruitment process to fill the vacant chief executive's post.

An advertisement for the position has since re-appeared on a dedicated website, www.leadersforstoke.co.uk, provided by London-based executive recruitment consultants Penna.

The advertisement states that the post commands a salary of up to £195,000, plus a relocation allowance and other benefits.

The job description states: "Experience of working with a cabinet system is vital, as is the ability to operate effectively in a politicised environment."

It also says that the post requires "character, charisma and political acumen; a creative, commercially-focused approach and a strong track record of delivering improvements."

The authority has opted not to repeat the controversial national newspaper adverts used last time, which used the eye-catching slogan "We are 20 minutes away from Oblivion".

Deputy council leader Brian Ward, pictured, said: "I'm very glad to see that this is now back on track again, because it was one of the first things we needed to do as soon as the new administration was set up.

"We really need to get some stability at the council now, whether we appoint the current interim chief executive, or recruit someone from outside the city."

He added: "We need someone who is committed to the city and I think the relocation part of the job offer is very important.

"In the past we have had several senior officers living outside the city, and although they have been very capable, I think that living here gives you a sense of belonging and wanting to the do the best for your city."

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