Sandwell Council chief executive on extended leave
The chief executive of Sandwell Council has taken extended leave from the authority.
Jan Britton, who has been in charge since 2011, will be "away from the office for a period of extended leave", the council confirmed.
The reason for the absence of the chief executive, who earns more than £140,000 a year, has not been revealed but follows a turbulent period at the top of the authority.
A Sandwell Council spokesman said: “Chief executive Jan Britton will be away from the office for a period of extended leave.
“In the interim David Stevens will take on the role of acting chief executive.”
Councillor Yvonne Davies was confirmed as the third leader of Sandwell Council in as many months in May.
Steve Trow stepped down in the immediate aftermath of the local elections after just weeks in the top job.
He in turn had replaced Steve Eling, who was among several borough councillors to be suspended or thrown out of the party by Labour’s National Executive Committee.
Council leader Councillor Yvonne Davies said: “I want to emphasise that I will continue to concentrate on working to provide the best possible services to the public.”
