Council Chief Executive post rejected

Mr Roger Wilson, current CEO of Coleraine Borough Council was offered the position but has since declined and been offered the post of Chief Executive Officer of the new ABC (Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon) super council.

A spokesperson for Lisburn City Council said: “It is confirmed that correspondence has been received from Mr Roger Wilson, stating that he is declining the post of Chief Executive Designate for the Lisburn City and Castlereagh District Council.

“This is a matter for the Statutory Transition Committee, comprising both Lisburn City Council and Castlereagh Borough Council.”

Arrangements have now commenced to appoint a candidate from the nominated reserve list.

Councillor Luke Poots is concerned that new appointments could also decline the offer as Roger Wilson has done.

Mr Poots said: “A significant amount of candidates for the Chief Executive Post have their names in for other larger super councils which seems a more attractive job offer to them and a lot of these interviews have yet to happen meaning we could have some one decline again.

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“The interview for Belfast’s Chief executive is not until March 27 and 25 people have their names in. I fear that up until then Lisburn could end up choosing candidates who could decline for another council and we might end up having to re run the process.”

Just last week Mr Wilson told the Star that he was sad to leave Coleraine after five years in charge.

But it is almost certain he will take up the ABC offer, as it will be a case of “coming home”.

A County Armagh man, he previously held top posts both in Armagh City and District Council and in Craigavon Borough Council.