The middle of the line

It has occurred to me – and to others – that it’s pretty unclear when the new role for Craig Humphrey started.

It was ratified by the Council (in private) in July , but after the fact. He claims that it was approved by Eric Pickles in private conversations, possibly after Pickles’ speech on council ‘non-jobs’ in late June.

But when the council have been asked what the basis for the decision is, they have pointed all the way back to the start of the interim arrangements in March, as approved (in private) in February. Back then, at least in public, it was only being suggested that the two Directors would cover for the departing Chief Executive pending a merger with Nuneaton & Bedworth or another permanent solution. No mention was made in public of the Leader taking on more responsibility.

So when did it start? I guess that Cllr Humphrey will want to have any increase in his allowances backdated to that point – indeed, I hear that he’s pretty keen to ensure that it is.