Conwy County Council search for new boss

Jul 14 2011 by Ian Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

CONWY County Council has declared itself more than capable of filling its vacant chief executive position after suggestions it should share one with neighbouring Denbighshire.

Following the recent resignation of Conwy’s chief executive Byron Davies, the authority had been considering sharing the position.

The matter arose after Mr Davies was cleared at Mold Crown Court in January of raping a female colleague.

His position will now be advertised internally.

Discussing the matter at a council meeting last week, Cllr Tony Thomas commented: “There is a sense of loyalty to our service management team. We need to have someone from within this authority, a sovereign hand. The talent is here, it has been proved. I don’t see any reason to look externally.”

Cllr Mike Priestley agreed, adding: “A chief executive is no good to me in Denbighshire or in the middle of the A55.”

But he did point out that if there were no suitable candidates within the council, they should advertise elsewhere.

After a near unanimous decision at a full council meeting last week, it was determined there was enough quality in Conwy to fill the post.

But the council was minded that if the search should prove fruitless, the £110,0o0 a year vacancy would be opened up to external candidates.

Conwy already works with Denbighshire Council on some regulatory matters and planning, and it has been argued that sharing a boss would save money.

The meeting at which the decision was made provided an arena for an all-round pat on the back for Conwy Council.

It was deemed that the authority bears the brunt of a negative reputation throughout Wales – undeservedly so, according to Cllr Ronnie Hughes.

“[We should advertise internally] as long as it is best for the people of Conwy,” he said.

“There is a tendency for this authority to be picked on,” he added, before listing a number of services Conwy County Council provides.

He added: “The list goes on and on and on of what we are doing.”

Cllr Goronwy Edwards concurred: “We do have the talent in-house to deal with this chief executive position.

“This council is one of the best authorities in the whole of Wales, let alone North Wales.

“I suggest we open a position and make it reviewable in two to three years so we don’t tie ourselves down.”

Before the decision was made it was outlined that a report into the matter, compiled by head of corporate human resources Phil Davies, would make no specific recommendation on the issue.