There are good reasons why local councils have a chief executive, and Harrow is missing out if it tries to struggle on without one.

Having a chief executive is the accepted, normal, respectable and conventional model right across local government. To do without one is risky and unusual.

The roles of leader and chief executive are completely different and both essential if the council is to tackle the problems it faces in the next four years. There is an extensive range of research available that backs this up.

It is no accident that the overwhelming majority of local councils have a chief executive, particularly those that have a reputation for providing high quality services. No one would suggest Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea or Wandsworth are spendthrift or inefficient.

It is precisely because of the challenges facing the council that it needs a chief executive.

The cost of the post is a drop in the ocean when compared with the total council budget and a high quality chief executive would be able to save the cost of their salary many times over – not just in cuts but in making the organisation more effective.

Lesley Cramp

Address supplied