THE interim chief executive of Brent Council will stay in the job until after the next council elections in May 2014.
Former Ofsted head Christine Gilbert was appointed after Gareth Daniel left last September. The plan was outlined in a report and approved at Monday’s full council meeting.
It states: “The continuance of the current interim arrangements will ensure that the overall planning and management for that election can be organised and properly overseen by an interim chief executive who has developed a full understanding of the organisation.”
Although the interim arrangement is due to expire in 2013, Brent Council is seeking to extend Mrs Gilbert’s contract in light of advice from recruitment consultants.
The report continues: “At this point in time, the potential market for suitable candidates is not at the optimum level to proceed to a permanent appointment. A large part of the reason for this is that currently three chief executive roles are being advertised within London boroughs.”
There is also significant restructuring at the higher levels of the council – cited as another reason to keep Mrs Gilbert in the role.
