Council spends £25k on search for chief

Around £25,000 has been spent on consultants tasked with finding a new chief executive for Wolverhampton City Council, it emerged today.

The money has gone to executive search and selection consultancy Gatenby Sanderson, based in Birmingham, which is contracted to the authority to help with senior appointments.

Critics today questioned the move, claiming the money could be better spent at a time when the council is making widespread cuts to services to try and save £40 million.

But council chiefs today insisted the decision was good value for money.

Current chief executive Richard Carr is set to leave his £120,000-a-year post, which he has held for three years, on October 25 for a new job at Central Bedfordshire Council.

Steve Boyes, director for regeneration and environment, will assume the full responsibilities of interim chief executive the next day. Applications are currently being received for the chief executive post and it is hoped an appointment will be made by mid-December.

Fiona McEvoy, from the West Midlands TaxPayers' Alliance, said today: "This is a ridiculous amount to spend on consultants at a time when the authority is having to cut back on vital services. If Wolverhampton City Council needs to make savings, then they should be axing unnecessary costs like this as a priority."

Councillor Joan Stevenson, cabinet member for reorganisation, people and performance, said Gatenby Sanderson were involved in an "extensive search".

He added: "In view of the importance of this post for service delivery, the cabinet decided the expense occurred was value for money."