Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

The council has issued an apology over a secondment.

I was going to put a spoof posting on today (All Fools Day) but this is genuine.

The full story can be found on The Northern Echo web site.

'North Tyneside Council has apologised after a Conservative adviser was unlawfully appointed to work with a North-East mayor.

North Tyneside Council issued the apology after the official, who had been a Tory party press officer for the North-East, was taken on to support the borough's Conservative Mayor, Linda Arkley.

"North Tyneside Council would like to apologise for the mistakes that have been made."

The Conservatives and the council agreed the official would be seconded to assist the mayor for 12 months from last July. However, concerns were raised over the role and the arrangement was terminated on September 21.

An internal investigation has found the council did not have the powers to enter into such a secondment agreement and it was therefore unlawful. A report discussed by the council's cabinet last night says the proposal was put forward by its then chief executive - Andrew Kerr, who now works at Wiltshire Council.

A Conservative Party spokesman said a secondment agreement was proposed by the then council chief executive and no payment was made, received or is being sought from the council under the arrangement. However, Councillor Jim Allan, leader of the council's Labour group, and Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell have called for an independent investigation.

A Wiltshire Council spokeswoman said Mr. Kerr had nothing to add to North Tyneside Council's statement.'