A £135,000 a year salary was on offer, but still Poole council couldn't attract a new chief executive.

Despite advertising nearly the same wages as the Prime Minister receives, the authority failed to get a suitable candidate for the important role.

Now Poole council, which has tried twice to fill the post in almost 18 months, is seeking to promote internally.

The council has been without a permanent head of service following the retirement of John McBride at the end of March 2014.

Since then, strategic director Andrew Flockhart has served as interim chief executive.

The council is now setting up an appointments panel, restricting applicants to previous internal candidates for the post, Mr Flockhart and Jan Thurgood, interim deputy chief executive and strategic director people theme.

However this has been called "utterly wrong" by Liberal Democrat councillor Phil Eades. "It is vitally important that the utmost transparency is apparent in the appointment of senior civil servants," he said. He called for the post to be advertised to the wider executive market.

Cllr Janet Walton, leader of the council, said: “Interim arrangements put in place following two previous recruitment processes have worked well and provided valuable continuity at a time when the council faces significant financial challenges.

“This cost-effective solution means we can continue to focus our resources on delivering the best possible outcomes for Poole residents without engaging in another round of external recruitment which would only generate more uncertainty and further expense to the council and the local taxpayer."

The cross-party appointments panel will carry out interviews, aiming to make a recommendation to council on September 29. However both candidates have the option not to put themselves forward.

Two attempts were made to fill the post, through advertising in the national press and on-line, with the help of specialist, independent, external advisers.

The first recruitment drive ended in December 2013 and the second in May 2014.

"On both occasions, the panel did not identify any candidate who in its assessment fully met the stated requirements of the agreed person specification," said Carl Wilcox, head of human resources in a report to council.

On the second occasion the pay rate was raised from a maximum of £125,000 a year to £135,000 including a market supplement - just short of Prime Minister David Cameron's £142,500 salary.

"This measure however, to which several elected members voiced their objections at the time, made little discernible positive difference to the quality of the field of applicants," said the report.

Officers have concluded there are "no legal or other obstacles" to making an internal appointment. The pay scale for the chief executive will be between £114,174 and £124,941.

The essential requirements include:

  • track record of achievement at senior management level
  • understanding of issues facing local government
  • experience of "service delivery"
  • ability to be an "inspiring leader", build effective partnerships, and help members manage the council's reputation
  • be a role model who identifies with council's values
  • passionate and ambitious for Poole
  • pragmatic, thoughtful and analytical