New probe to identify failings at Sandwell Council after chief executive's exit
Former council officers in Sandwell will be called in for exit interviews in a bid to identify failings in the running of the crisis-stricken authority.
The Express & Star understands that a number of ex-employees – including those who held senior roles – have contacted the council since the shock departure of Jan Britton.
They will be given the chance to raise issues over the executive's running of the council in recent years, which has come against a backdrop of leadership upheaval, Labour group infighting and allegations of corruption.
No official reason has been given as to why former chief executive Mr Britton has gone, although sources close to the council say the influence of officers over political matters has been called into question.
It came as Councillor Yvonne Davies – the authority's third Labour leader this year – vowed to put "clear blue water" between the roles of officers and councillors.
This includes separating the executive roles in the council and in the Labour Group, from those that scrutinise the work and behaviour of the council and councillors, including those on the Audit and Standards Committees.
The move follows concerns over Mr Britton's role in the standards probe involving former councillor Mahboob Hussain, while it is understood that issues have also been raised over his involvement in a court case against local blogger Julian Saunders.
Mrs Davies has pledged to use her leadership "to model the courage and transparency that we need as a group and a council".
'Clear separation'
She told the Express & Star: "I am determined to focus on what is in the best interests of the people of Sandwell.
"That means officers will be given the authority to lead on services with the full support of politicians. There needs to be clear blue water between officers and elected members.
"In the past there has not been a clear separation between the Labour group, the council and those who oversee scrutiny."
Mr Britton fronted the authority for eight years and said he was moving on to seek "a new challenge".
He is credited with maintaining frontline services despite budget cuts, and ordered the Wragge report into allegations of corruption involving land deals.
Deputy chief executive David Stevens is expected to be named as Mr Britton's interim replacement at a meeting on Monday.
He is likely to head the authority for at least six months, with the council's political leadership keen to ensure the right candidate is recruited to take on the role over the long term.
