CEREDIGION County Council will consider delaying its search for a new chief executive to allow councillors to attend the Royal Welsh Show.

Despite the authority wanting a replacement for retiring chief executive Bronwen Morgan to begin in the post on 1 October this year, political group leaders will now have to reconsider a date for interviews and a potential appointment after councillors said they were unhappy part of the process clashes with the Royal Welsh Show.

Ms Morgan will retire in September this year and council officers had outlined a timescale for identifying a replacement with a shortlisting committee proposed to be held on 25 July before a day of interviews and potential appointment on 31 August.

However, that could now change after councillors said council meetings and committees should not be held during events such as the Royal Welsh.

Cllr Gareth Lloyd said: “I notice the dates for the appointment. For the third year in succession there is something happening during the Royal Welsh week.

“That happened three years ago and it was said it wouldn’t happen again and it happened last year as there were special circumstances and we had assurances it wouldn’t happen again, but now it’s for the third year running. I know it’s not a committee for everyone - but will there be representatives of all parties on the shortlisting committee?

“It will affect individuals and having had assurances for two years running there wouldn’t be anything happening during the Royal Welsh week, which does affect people across the chamber, it’s happening again.”

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