WYCHAVON District Council has announced who will replace the managing director when he retires.

Jack Hegarty, who is head of planning at the council, will be promoted when Sid Pritchard leaves in April 2004.

At a meeting of Wychavon's executive board this week, members agreed that he should be made managing director designate, with immediate effect.

But members of the Liberal Democrat group were unhappy that the post had not been advertised and a formal interview procedure followed.

Councillor Margaret Rowley said it should have been an open competition.

"This is not personal, it is a matter of principle," she said.

"I am totally opposed to this way of appointing a managing director."

Fellow Liberal Democrat, Coun Adrian Darby, said a candidate chosen following an interview process would be in a better position when they took up the post.

"If they have gone through the process and clearly come out the best, it gives them more authority," he said.

Decision

Coun Darby asked whether the decision could be made after the local elections next year.

"I am not against this particular person who I think is a star," he added.

Council leader, Coun Malcolm Meikle, supported the proposal.

"I suspect, with almost total confidence, that if we waited until after the election this talent would not be available for consideration," he said.

"When the head of planning was appointed there was acknowledgement that he had a great deal of capacity.

"Therefore, it seems quite wrong not to recognise that and take advantage of the talent we have in-house," he said.