A COUNCIL is to investigate the possibility of sharing a chief executive with another authority.

Richmondshire District Council has selected a panel to decide how to fill a gap created when its best official quit weeks after agreeing an extended contract.

Councillor Melva Steckles, the council's leader, said a chief executive could work in two authorities.

"The Government is driving at councils working with one another and there are a number of councils now in the country which are working jointly, ie one chief executive for more than one authority," Coun Steckles said.

She said other options were open to the council and that no decisions had been made.

"There is some really new thinking and the foundations laid by the previous administration can be further developed and opportunities created," she said.

The Government's rejection of unitary local government for North Yorkshire has allowed the district council to explore more possibilities, she said.

Sharing a chief executive would save the council money and the appointment panel would meet before the end of August, Coun Steckles said. A decision will be taken within weeks.

Dr Jack Neal, who joined the council on a four-month contract in April, left because of "family reasons". His appointment followed a reshuffle, which saw his predecessor, Harry Tabiner, and four other senior officers take early retirement.

In June, Dr Neal agreed to stay on until the end of the year to await the outcome of North Yorkshire County Council's bid for a unitary authority.