HEADHUNTERS are looking for a new council boss after the shortlist got a bit too short.A list of potential candidates to become temporary chief executive of Suffolk Coastal council has been redrawn after most of them got new jobs.

HEADHUNTERS are looking for a new council boss after the shortlist got a bit too short.

A list of potential candidates to become temporary chief executive of Suffolk Coastal council has been redrawn after most of them got new jobs.

Senior councillors on the appointments committee are hoping they don't lose any more of the candidates between now and next Monday when interviews are planned.

They will also make a recommendation that day to council, which will approve the chosen person on Thursday October 23.

A spokesman said: "Since the committee selected a shortlist of applicants a number of the potential candidates have withdrawn.

"This is due to the fact that, since the potential candidates were selected by Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) Enterprises, a number of them have secured other placements or contracts."

Council leader Ray Herring has consulted with committee members and a fresh list has been drawn up with candidates asked to submit written statements and attend for interview.

Jeremy Schofield, director of planning and leisure, is currently the lead officer of the council following the early retirement taken by chief executive Tom Griffin following a cost-cutting shake-up.

The interim chief executive will stay until the spring while a permanent replacement is sought.

Compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out. Four key people have either left or are leaving and it is hoped if any other jobs go they would be lost through natural wastage, early retirements and voluntary redundancies.

Consultants have been brought in at a cost of £95,000 to improve efficiency.

The council has identified possible savings between £550,000 and £830,000 to offset increased costs of £1.3m for next year.

About £20,000 a year has already been earmarked in the economic development department.

Mr Herring said the idea was to give directors more of a strategic role, and push decision-making down the line, as well as making processes more efficient.