A Devon council is to appoint an interim manager rather than a new permanent chief executive.

Conservative-run Torbay Council authority has been without a boss since last September.

It is struggling to turn itself around following a series of critical reports which have questioned its services and strategic planning.

The council would not comment on its new head, but has said it is doing all it can to improve services.

It's not a bad idea to take on somebody who has experience in making decisions Marcus Wood

Torbay Council was rated as one of the 13 worst performing councils in England by the Audit Commission in December 2002.

Its main weaknesses were said to include social care and housing.

Torbay disagreed with the conclusions, claiming services were performing well and that the system used by the commission was "crude".

The council started a search for a new chief executive last autumn after Tony Hodgkiss took early retirement.

None of the candidates was considered suitable.

The idea of the new temporary manager is to bring in someone for up to three years who can troubleshoot.

However, opposition councillors have voiced concerns about a temporary boss.

Leader accountability

Liberal Democrat Steve Darling said: "It quite worrying that we've seen a massive increase in consultants.

"Now, effectively we're having another consultant, albeit a direct employee, but for a short period of time.

"So it is the accountability issue that is worrying there."

No-one from the ruling Conservative group was available for interview, but Torbay Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate Marcus Wood said it made sense.

He said: "If you wanting to make changes in any organisation, it's not a bad idea to take on somebody who has experience in making those decisions."

The new interim manager is expected to be in position by March.