Education chief leaves council

Tony Smith will be a temporary replacement in the education post

A Devon council education chief has left his job as part of a management shake-up.

Education director Frank Weeple has departed from Torbay Council after his responsibilities were changed.

His exit follows a review of the unitary authority's management structure in the light of a bad Audit Commission report.

The shake-up changed the education director's job so much a new post has effectively been created.

The council has now advertised for a director of learning and culture, with a salary range of £77,000 to £83,000.

It is particularly bad timing for the council as education services in Torbay are going through difficult times.

Budget cuts were expected to mean that several teachers in the area would be made redundant.

Funding shortfall

The council has previously blamed the shortfall in funding from national government for its problems.

Council managing director Richard Painter said: "The council has undertaken an extensive review of its management structure and for education this has meant a considerable change in responsibility for the director's post.

"As a consequence, Frank has decided to leave and we wish him success as he furthers his career in education."

The former director of education at Devon County Council, Tony Smith, will take over Mr Weeple's job temporarily, but it could be several months before the post is filled permanently.