WYCHAVON District Council has been forced to offer a loyalty bonus or "golden hello" of up to £7,000 in a bid to recruit a new financial boss.

The post was advertised in September as deputy managing director, following the resignation of Sonia Rees, but failed to attract candidates of a high enough calibre.

Although there were many applications, only four were shortlisted and two interviewed by the appointments panel. Neither was considered suitable.

As a result the Council has scrapped the original post and is concentrating on appointing a Head of Financial Services as well as reviewing its pay and perks packages for senior managers.

The Council will appoint recruitment consultants, and offer a more flexible package including the choice of a cash alternative to a lease car and the loyalty bonus, which will be paid over three years.

A report from managing director Jack Hegarty was put before full council on Tuesday and following a motion by Cllr John Smith the decision was made to concentrate on the post of finance manager.

Alan Marshall, the Council's head of legal and support services, said that the post would be readvertised but that the position of deputy managing director would be phased out.

"The job did not exist until the present incumbent was promoted into it," he said. "The post which will be offered is Head of Financial Services, and the salary will be trimmed back to reflect this."

He said the "golden hello" or loyalty bonus would not exceed 10% of the salary which is expected to be between £60,000 and £70,000.

The post of accountancy services manager is also vacant, and is currently being advertised with a salary of just over £40,000.