Title

The Local Government Association has been thrown into turmoil after chief executive, Paul Coen, was sent home last week to ‘take leave'. Deputy chief executive, John Ransford, may put his retirement – due to start in April next year – on hold, in a bid to cover the gap left in the organisation, should Mr Coen not return. In a statement, Mr Coen said it was ‘increasingly difficult' for the political and managerial leadership of the association to work together. Speculation about Mr Coen's future at the LGA has been rife since October, after a disastrous interview with Radio Four's Today programme over the Icelandic bank crisis. But in his statement, he dated his problems back to September – when LGA chairman, Margaret Eaton, took over. Mr Coen's statement said: ‘Since September, it has become increasingly difficult to have confidence that the political leadership and the managerial leadership of the LGA are at one on both the direction of travel and the day-to-day leadership of the association.' Mr Ransford is standing in for Mr Coen in his absence. He was due to retire in April, but has not ruled out remaining in post, if it is ‘in the interests of the organisation'. Mr Ransford told The MJ the association was ‘in the process of making an appointment' to fill the deputy chief executive post. However, the announcement has been expected for the last couple of weeks, and The MJ understands it has been a difficult post to fill. Plans to bring the LGA ‘family' – the IDeA, LGE, LACORS, the Leadership Centre and 4Ps – together were continuing, Mr Ransford said. A spokesman for the IDeA refused to comment on whether IDeA executive director, Lucy de Groot, would reconsider her departure in light of the problems at the LGA. The LGA refused to comment further.

Title

WHITEHALL

Turmoil over chief's future

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING