LIVERPOOL council will be without a permanent chief executive for at least another six months.
The city council is preparing to launch a nationwide search for a permanent replacement for Colin Hilton, who retired in May.
On Friday the local authority’s appointments panel will approve advertising for the £197,500-a-year role.
The deadline for applications will be September 24, with final interviews at the end of October and the announcement of a new chief executive in mid-November.
With most executives required to give at least three months notice, the council is not likely to have a new boss until Spring 2011.
The council has also appointed London-based Green Park headhunters to help them search for a suitable candidate.
Candidates will undergo psychometric testing and media interviews to see how they cope with one of local government’s most high profile hot seats.
David McElhinney, head of council joint venture Liverpool Direct Limited, is currently caretaker chief executive until a permanent replacement for Mr Hilton is found.
Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the soon to be disbanded North West Development Agency, and the city’s former regeneration director Charlie Parker, currently the boss of Oldham council, are understood to be contenders.
