Chief Executive

Pits n Pots can today confirm that Stoke-on-Trent City Council plans to switch up to 800 jobs to the proposed Central Business District in Hanley have been scrapped. The City Council had proposed to switch the jobs to a private company. The preferred bidders were Balfour Beatty Workplace/BT Global Solutions and Serco who are still fighting for the contract. The jobs would have included members of the Human Resources, CCTV maintenance, IT and Administration departments.

Staffordshire Police have today confirmed that they are investigating the procurement process and in particular the tenders for demolition contracts. In a statement Staffordshire Police said: Quote:We can confirm that Staffordshire Police is carrying out enquiries into a number of complaints linked to tendering processes for demolition work. We are working very closely with the Chief Executive of the City Council in this matter. On behalf of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Chief Executive, John van

Here is the latest offering in our 'In Conversation' pieces. Today we managed to catch half an hour out of a very busy day in the life of Stoke-on-Trent's new Chief Executive John Van de Laarschott. As you will be aware if you read this site, I have been very impressed with John.

One of the most interesting topics on Thursday's full council meeting was the motion tabled By Cllr Dave Conway. The motion had called for the following: “That this Council resolves that an inquiry be established into the conduct of the internal investigation of the proposed closure of the splash pool at Dimensions Leisure Centre, Burslem, with the following remit: ·Ensuring that all elected members have been, and will in future be, treated fairly and properly in relation to this and similar ma

Well here we are at the start of a new decade. Many people would say that we are at the begining of a new year and a new decade, but we've still got the same old problems. A significant budget deficit, possible council tax rises, and accusations of being an officer led authority. In our latest episode of our 'In Conversation' specials, Council Leader Ross Irving, give us his views on the year past and the year ahead. Click on the video below...

Comment by Matt Taylor Nothing's ever simple in Stoke-on-Trent, is it? The job at the helm of the city council had been advertised with many quipping at the seemingly extravagant amount of cash available to the successful applicant. The next thing we know, the HR committee appointed John van de Laarschot following his successes at Torridge council in North Devon. But, he wouldn't be coming right away, since he'd have to complete his responsibility to his current employer.

By Matt Taylor and Darren Teale of Junction 15 Video Productions As we have already reported, John Van Der Laarschott has been named as the new permanent Chief Exec of Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The corporate high-flyer will be taking over on a salary of £195,000 a year and is coming from a previous appointment at the council in Torridge, North Devon, which he managed to turn around from a poorly performing authority.

By Tony Walley. The wife of Stoke-on-Trent's new Chief Executive has confirmed that their family will move to the city! Speaking in an article in today's Sentinel Mrs Tracey van de Laarschot said: "We definitely want to live in the area John covers, that is the least he can do. If he lives there, he can understand the issues there. "He doesn't like to take things running smoothly.

By Tony Walley UPDATED 21.00 30/10/09:  Chris Harman has left the building! According to our sources, Interim Chief Executive Chris Harman has tonight cleared his desk, said his goodbye's and vacated his office.