LIKE Baldrick, the urbane hero of Blackadder, I have a cunning plan.

Let the electorate select the new Wirral Council chief executive. Why rely on an agency?

Why spend more money in these austere times bringing in corporate "head hunters" to find a replacement for retiring Graham Burgess?

Team GB, as he is affectionately known, is going in December.

So who decides on the right candidate to fill the void?

Can't they promote from within?

Or how about a job share with a CEO from one of the other super authorities?

The job should be advertised locally and nationally so tax payers can all see what the requirements are for such a high-salaried post.

This local authority is clearly keen on consultants as we discovered when they overspent, ironically, when they were looking at protecting frontline services.

Are they lacking in self-confidence?

The council's Have Your Say consultancy survey is over and is to be discussed with cabinet this week. The outcome of budget cuts will be revealed in December.

We at the politically correct Globe have our own on-going consultation - on line.

Click on today and let’s keep consulting each other.

GRANT’S TV Rant:

I am getting tired of watching celebrities gate-crashing quiz shows that were originally made for the public.

Celebrity Come Dine With Me and Celebrity Deal or No Deal are just a few of the programmes that are stealing the limelight from ordinary folk.

These shows are also depriving members of the public of a real chance to win money.

I have a proposal for the light entertainment producers - how about a celebrity show with a twist?

Celebrity Pointless – Political Special...

Imagine Ed Milliband and Ed Balls up against David Cameron and George Osborne at the Head to Head.

After all, our politicians are well used to scoring pointless points off each other every day in the House of Commons.

I C AN’T say I wept into my hankie when I read about the proposal to reduce Jobcentre Plus staff across the area.

It will, however, give an insight to those who worked there just what it is like sitting on the other side of the desk.

They will be able to listen to their name being called out to sign on.

Having experienced this system myself I feel for those who, through no fault of their own, are put in a situation where they need real help and encouragement.

Losing a job is exactly that - a loss – which often snowballs into loss of confidence, of well being, and sense of place.

I do hope that these cuts do not lead to privatisation, but that a proper review follows from top to bottom.

If it means genuinely helping getting people back to work and keeping their dignity in tact, then it will be a job well done.

I HAVE just spent 40 minutes in the company of Scottish Power.

When I say company – I was in a queue to a call centre in Glasgow leaving me hanging on the telephone.

Pop songs played while a woman said endlessly "We are experiencing a high volume of calls: thanks for your patience."

This was the third call in two weeks – all averaging 40 minutes before I was even answered. Online inquiries aren't responded to within the same day.

Their own complaints performance graph shows that the number of complaints received in the last quarter actually went off the chart past the 100,000 mark. They'll need a new graph.

And to add insult to injury the same songs were played repeatedly on a loop including Electricity from Wirral's OMD (the only light moment). Loopy indeed.

AND finally...Horrible Histories, the stage version of the excellent TV series, is coming back to the Floral Pavilion.

In 2015, they will bring a two-part show all about the Greeks and the Vikings. And in a press release teaser they put me to the test on my history knowledge.

Asking: What is the capital of Greece?

"G" came their answer.

Ah, if only history lessons had been like that at my old school.

Peter Grant.