Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

No 'jobs for the boys' in the new Wiltshire Council.
Local Government Minister John Healey has called for the new unitary council to take advantage of its new start to bring in fresh blood to the senior management team. He has also given an assurance that the employment rights of all staff affected by the changes will be protected.

The Minister believes that new senior officers with fresh skills, experiences and new perspectives will be vital in creating a successful future for the flagship council. To ensure that there is a rigorous search for talent for the top post the chief executive must be recruited by open competition by April 2010. It is also expected that the majority of top posts will also to be subject to open competition over a period.

Arrangements are being made to ensure that employees will be protected under TUPE, and all employees of councils which will cease to exist on 1 April 2009 who are in post immediately prior to that date will become employees of the new unitary council. Those employees will transfer to the new council on terms and conditions no less favourable than those that applied under their previous employer.