The council’s search for a new chief executive is set to move one step closer as councillors are set to review candidates.

Current CEO Manjeet Gill is in the position temporarily and is set to leave the role in March 2019.

Eight candidates are set to be asked to meet councillors for interviews but six applications are recommended to be rejected.

Two applicants will be reviewed before it is decided whether they should be interviewed.

The press and public have been banned from the meeting as councillors discuss information relating to the candidates.

Earlier in the year it was announced that the new CEO could receive a pay increase.

Whomever takes the role will receive between £145,000 – £170,000, which could mean a pay rise of up to £30,000 from what former CEO Andy Couldrick earned.

However it was also decided that performance related pay will be scrapped from the new leader’s wage.

The councillors are set to approve the interviews on Thursday, October 4.