Last updated 06:43, Friday, 25 July 2008

ALLERDALE council will not advertise for a new chief executive for six months.

Current boss Gillian Bishop leaves at the end of August but deputy leader Margaret Jackson said that because of the quiet summer period, there would not be “maximum exposure to the vacancy” if it was advertised immediately, and other avenues would be explored in the meantime.

The council said one of its interim options was a “collaboration” with another district or city council - which, it is understood, could mean a chief executive of a neighbouring council looking after Allerdale as well as their own council.

Carlisle City Council said it was aware that Allerdale was investigating its options. No-one at Copeland was available for comment.

Allerdale’s ruling executive will make a recommendation for the full council to ratify on August 13.

Mrs Jackson said it was also considering an existing director taking up the interim position, the appointment of a chief executive from outside, or sharing the chief executive’s duties among the three existing directors.

Meanwhile, Workington MP Tony Cunningham said that he believed one person should be employed on an interim basis because of the major projects which the council was involved in, including the Derwent Forest scheme at the former RNAD depot at Broughton Moor and the Derwent Valley sports regeneration in Workington.

Mrs Bishop is leaving to become chief executive with the regional improvement and efficiency partnership. She will be responsible for Cumbria, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.