On Tuesday (January 28), plans to recruit an LGR transition programme director were given the go-ahead. Although the role will be based within the county council, the successful candidate will be directed by the chief executives of all 11 existing councils. At the meeting of the employment committee leader of the county council, Cllr Steve Jarvis, said the role was required so councils can remain focused on the delivery of existing services. He acknowledged that until now existing council staff had completed the work on LGR, but suggested that “that becomes increasingly unrealistic”. He told the committee it was “entirely appropriate” to recruit to the new role, rather than asking senior council officers to do the work in addition to their usual demands.