WHAT will the director of Worcester City Council's contract services, Keith Middleton, do if he finds himself out of a jobsoon?

The future of his department was the subject of speculation - behind closed doors, naturally - on Wednesday, August 30.

Mr Middleton has already admitted that contract services, which employs about 230 people, is "not viable" as key functions have been handed over to other operators.

A final report about whether to break up contract services will be made on Monday, October 23.

So he may be looking at his options. Why not sound out Malvern Hills District Council?

Nobody there is in charge of the direct services organisation (DSO), the equivalent of contract services in Worcester.

Formerly the director was Brian Page, who left Malvern Hills District Council last October. Since then the DSO in Malvern has been something of a ship without a rudder.

In fact a bunch of business students from Worcester College of Technology were even hired earlier this year to give their opinions on how to sort things out, as part of their college coursework.

Mr Middleton has spent 11 years with contract services in Worcester and under his leadership the department has performed well.

Malvern Hills District Council's DSO is smaller than Worcester City Council's contract services department in staff terms.

But it might tide Mr Middleton over while he flips through the job columns.

Is his CV already in the post?