A council leader has taken the unusual step of publicly criticising top local government officers. Cllr Kevin Guy, of Bath & North East Somerset Council – one of three local authorities, along with Bristol and South Gloucestershire, that make up the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) – has called for heads to roll at the regional body.
Without naming chief executive Patricia Greer, who he crossed swords with at a recent committee meeting, or other senior directors, Lib Dem Cllr Guy said “significant change at the top of Weca” was needed to improve collaboration between the combined authority and its three councils. Asked by BBC Radio Bristol’s John Darvall whether he meant elected Labour metro mayor Dan Norris, who heads Weca, Cllr Guy said he was referring to officers, who are neutral, employed, unelected officials similar to civil servants.
Tensions between Mr Norris and the political leaders of the three unitary authorities – Cllr Guy, Bristol city Labour mayor Marvin Rees and South Gloucestershire Council Conservative leader Cllr Toby Savage – have been apparent for months. But a schism along similar lines has also emerged recently among the chief executives of the four authorities.
