Friday 20 May 2011

Vying for the top job

There is never a dull moment for the chattering classes in local government - always the latest bit of gossip on who is doing what and why.
For the moment, there are two questions on their lips: Who will be then next chairman of the LGA; and who will get the association's chief exec post.
The two are, of course, inextricably linked. David Parson's manifesto already outlines his preference for a Richard Branson-style chief - although one suspects Eric Pickles would have heart failure of the association had to pay the Virgin boss's salary.
Now David Shakespeare has been ousted as leader of Buckinghamshire, it seems unlikely he will be running for the chairmanship - but for the moment his plans remain unclear.
The expected race is between Leicestershire CC leader David Parsons and Kensington and Chelsea LBC leader Merrick Cockell.
Cllr Parsons' manifesto would be a sure fire winner if one were pitching to Pickes or the Daily Mail. But how will it play out with council leaders?
Cllr Cockell, on the other hand, has yet to reveal the details of his campaign. His biggest challeng is that he is from a London authority.
Sir Simon Milton took the chairmanship from from his Westminster City Council position, so the anti-London vote is not an impossible object. But perhaps the next question would be, if Cllr Cockell wins the job, would that rule out a London-based candidate as chief executive?

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