THE appointment of a new joint council chief executive for the conurbation will be discussed on Wednesday.

The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Joint Committee will largely hear progress updates at its next meeting, as a decision on the restructuring plan is required from the Government before any substantive decisions can be made.

If Communities Secretary Sajid Javid backs the Future Dorset plan, a new shadow authority will be created comprising all the current councillors of the three boroughs, but running alongside the existing authorities.

Although it would be in existence for less than 12 months before a new unitary is formed in May next year, a chief officer will be appointed, and the three councils have sought advice from the Local Government Association on how to accomplish this.

A report from this meeting recommends a task and finish group be established to discuss the matter. It will consider “the necessary characteristics required of the people to successfully fill these roles and the organisational structure necessary in order for them to perform well”. It will consider the timing of the appointment, and also “whether the appointment process should be internal and have an application process ring-fenced to existing incumbents, or alternatively be open to the market”.

The ‘existing incumbent’ top level officers for each authority are managing director Jane Portman for Bournemouth, and chief executives Andrew Flockhart for Poole and David McIntosh for Christchurch, as well as East Dorset District Council.