Health trust chief offered top job at council

We understand that Heather Rice, director of health and social care at the former PCT, has been offered the appointment of director of people and improvement at the council - one of its most senior posts.

It is believed Ms Rice has been offered the role subject to the council's usual procedures of medical clearance and consultation with its ruling executive.

Coun Sandy Fraser, Labour spokesman for adult social services and health, said: "I welcome the fact that she has been (offered the job).

"I recognise that people in the PCT are going through a reorganisation and clearly a number of them are having to look for new positions.

"I think the PCT is going through difficulties with its budget but it's taking constructive action at the same time. It's understandable that people are finding it necessary to looking around employment wise because of the restructuring and rationalisation into the new North Yorkshire and York PCT."

Ms Rice was at the PCT during its well-publicised financial problems, including ending the last financial year with a debt of £23.7million.

Like others across the country, the former Selby and York trust has merged with the county's three other PCTs to form the new North Yorkshire and York PCT, which covers the whole county.

The merger means some staff, including senior managers, are having to leave the trust to take on new jobs elsewhere.

Two other senior figures of the former trust - acting chief executive Penny Jones and acting finance director Sheenagh Powell - have also now left.

City of York Council has not confirmed that Ms Rice has been appointed to the director of people and improvement post.

A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that we have offered the post to one of the candidates, but are still awaiting final confirmation and approval from the council's executive. We will make a formal announcement as soon as possible."

The PCT said any decision to seek new employment was a personal matter for its members of staff.