Last updated 19:48, Thursday, 31 July 2008

WHOA there! What’s this; Allerdale council possibly sharing its chief executive with Carlisle city council?

This controversial idea comes from a council that fought plans for a unitary authority just two years ago, saying that local was best.

Some people may welcome the idea as a cost saving; they’ll argue that there’s already too much council bureaucracy.

The Government is cetrainly encouraging councils to work more closely.

But what seems like a good idea in Whitehall isn’t necessarily good for Workington and district.

Indeed it seems curious to consider this diluted role just when Allerdale requires firm leadership and sharp focus.

The borough council has to handle some contentious, complex regeneration projects and deliver the Energy Coast masterplan - peculiarly West Cumbrian matters.

We’d be concerned how Carlisle’s chief executive Maggie Mooney could be effective over such a wide brief - is she superwoman?

It is intended that she would stay in the joint post for six months, to give Allerdale more time to find a permanent successor to present chief Gillian Bishop.

There are clearly fears that it would become more than an interim arrangement, but surely a position as important as chief executive should have been sorted before now.

There are also questions about accountability and transparency, as some councillors claim they’ve been left out of the loop on this.

It is now time for a full and frank debate on this matter.

A decision must be based on the best interests of Allerdale people; but at this time, with so much going on, we doubt that a part-time chief is the answer.