TEST Valley chief executive Alan Jones is to vacate his office at Beech Hurst two days a week to help another council sort out its problems.

The borough council's executive has agreed to share the expertise of Mr Jones with Watford Council for three months.

The secondment will help the Hertfordshire council begin necessary improvements identified in a recent Audit Commission Inspection. Watford was the first district council in England to directly elect a mayor and she and her cabinet are now leading a rigorous programme of change.

The first step towards delivering the planned improvements is the short-term appointment of an 'interim change manager' who will help re-focus the organisation to deliver the mayor's priorities and bring about change.

Test Valley's leader Ian Carr said: "I fully support this secondment, which will be a valuable learning experience offering benefits for Test Valley as well as for Watford.

It is gratifying to know that the borough council's reputation for achievement and improvement has resulted in our chief executive being chosen for this demanding task.

"I know the council's two corporate directors will ably support the chief executive while he fulfils this role and deputise for him in his absence."

The cost of the arrangement will be borne by Watford who may also pay a small premium in recognition of the inconvenience caused to Test Valley. Watford's chief executive, Alan Clarke, is said to have a 'consensus' style of management while councillors wanted a more 'command and control style'. Part of the change manager's role will be to help the elected mayor Dorothy Thornhill stamp her authority on the organisation.