The Daily Telegraph has reported that a
council chief executive is being replaced by five road sweepers.

The Labour-controlled council is replacing Geoffrey Pook, chief executive of Erewash Borough Council, by five new employees working as road sweepers.

Council environmental health spokesman, Tim Moloney, said, "I'm sure the public would like to see five barrow men rather than a chief executive with a smart car and a mobile phone."

The council has shared the responsibilities of the chief executive's post between other officials within the council. The savings made on the post's £60,000 a year salary cost will be used to employ more road cleaners who will earn £166 a week.

The decision not to renew the chief executive's contract was made at a sub committee meeting on Monday.

The new recruits have been drawn from the long-term unemployed, and Mr Maloney said, "We are rather proud of the change and think that 99.9 per cent of the general public will thoroughly approve."