The council has received two highly critical reports

Tony Allen is expected to take up his new post at Hull City Council on Monday.

Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford made the announcement on Friday following a damning Audit Commission report into the running of the council.

It was the Labour-run council's second critical judgement in just over a year.

Culture of bullying

In June 2002, inspectors said the council was failing, and concluded the authority was in severe financial trouble with a culture of bullying, poor leadership and a problem with empty council houses.

The latest report, published on 7 November, concluded that not enough had been done to address the problems identified in the first.

Mr Raynsford said: "I have asked Tony Allen to work with the council leadership and senior management, to identify key actions needed for recovery.

"He will report to and be accountable to me."

Mr Allen is a former chief executive of Hammersmith & Fulham Council and Berkshire County Council.