The interim chief executive of Sandwell Council has been given the job permanently.

Jan Britton was appointed to the £139,000-a-year job in September last year, following the shock departure of former council boss, Dr Allison Fraser. She had headed the council for the previous four years.

A cross-party committee of top councillors – headed by council leader Darren Cooper – unanimously recommended Mr Britton be made permanent chief executive and full council rubber-stamped the decision last night.

The permanent post was advertised to internal council directors in a bid to save £80,000 by advertising externally.

Mr Britton, who is 43 and lives in Halesowen, was assessed by an independent panel of regional local government experts.

His track record showed his skills and abilities were up to the standards expected, according to a series of external reports, experts concluded.

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