CLG plans to reform the Beacon scheme have been questioned, after senior figures were overlooked for the post as chair of the panel overseeing the new system.
The MJ has discovered that several applicants for the role as chair of the Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils – a position formally ‘signed off’ by CLG minister, Sadiq Khan – are mystified as to why they were not shortlisted.
These include Mark Greenburgh, local government partner at lawyers Wragge and Co, who is the current vice-chair of the panel, and Roger Taylor, the former chief executive of Manchester and Birmingham councils.
Interviews for the chair’s post were conducted on 27 March, but neither Mr Greenburgh nor Mr Taylor, who was initially approached by the CLG’s appointed head-hunters, made the final list of interviewees. The process to replace outgoing chair, Marianne Hood, is already six months behind schedule.
Senior LGA figures are disappointed Mr Greenburgh, a popular vice-chair, was not considered, particularly as his referees included former Birmingham chief executive and government adviser, Sir Michael Lyons.
The CLG was made aware of the LGA’s concern. But a departmental spokeswoman said: ‘While we understand that some candidates may be disappointed at missing the shortlist, the department has followed Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ best practice throughout the recruitment procedure. An independent OCPA assessor has been involved throughout the process and is satisfied with the way the appointment has been handled.’
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