COUNCILLORS will draw up a shortlist of applicants for Hertfordshire County Council’s next chief executive this week.

Current chief executive John Wood – who began his career at the council as principal transport engineer in 1991 – announced his intention to retire earlier this year.

In June, the council brought in recruitment consultants GatenbySanderson, at a cost of around £20,000, to support a national search for the right candidate.

According to the authority, there has been a “good response” from potential candidates, predominantly from the public sector from those already in chief executive of chief officer roles.

This Wednesday (August 29) a meeting of the council’s Employment Committee will meet behind closed doors to draw up a shortlist.

According to the Employment Committee report, the shortlisted candidates will then be invited for interview and assessment on October 10 and 11.

But the appointment of a new chief executive will need to be approved by a meeting of the full Council.

Provided a candidate is selected in October, it is proposed that there will be an Extra-ordinary Full Council meting on October 25.

The Employment Committee is responsible for the appointment of the chief executive and chief officers.

Members of the committee are leader Cllr David Williams, Deputy Leader Cllr Teresa Heritage, executive member for public health and prevention Cllr Richard Roberts, Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Labour leader Judi Billing.