Jobs for ‘best people’

Press, 29 September 1988, Page 4

Jobs for ‘best people’

'The best people should be given senior positions in reformed local government units whether or not they are at present employed by merging local authorities, says the society of Local Government Managers. The society says the best people must be appointed to provide stronger, more effective and accountable local government. “Unnecessary positions, compromises, deals and

political soft options would be detrimental in the long-term to the new units and their employees,” said the society’s president, Mr Brian Sharplin. Reform would in time mean cuts to the number of local government employees, he said. The society, formed from the merger of the Institute of Town Clerks and Municipal Treasurers and the Institute of County Clerks, has out-

lined a process for authorities facing reform. It recommends a transitional committee of councillors and staff with a positive attitude to change and the appointment of a change manager. Mr Sharplin stressed that the latter appointment was an essential first step. He called for fair and sensitive treatment of those employees whose services would not be required by the new units.