Interim chief for authority

Telford & Wrekin Council has appointed its director of resources Victor Brownlees as interim chief executive after the departure last month of Steve Wellings from the top £160,000 post.

Mr Brownlees joined the council in August 2007 and was previously clerk and chief executive of Armagh City & District Council in Northern Ireland.

Advertisements for the permanent chief executive's job will go out next month, with interviews in July.

Mr Brownlees, a qualified accountant, said: "It's a great honour for me to be given this role.

"This council has a clear vision of what we want to achieve for the borough to improve life and prosperity here and I am determined that we will continue to drive this forward, working together with our partners."

Council leader Andrew Eade said: "We have moved swiftly to ensure we continue to have strong leadership and build on this council's strengths."

Mr Wellings is one of three top officials to leave the Conservative-controlled authority recently. The Labour and Independent opposition has called for an inquiry.