Director of People. Now there’s a title to grapple with.

As opposed, perhaps, to Director of Inanimate Objects, I suppose.

The title will belong to a new super-civil servant to be appointed at Southampton City Council.

Carrying a salary of £135,000-a-year, the new post is the amalgamation of the current roles of Director of Children’s Services and Director of Adult Services at the authority.

I suppose the title does, in that case, make sense. When you look after all the children and adults in the city there are no other humans left (discuss!).

The merger is designed to streamline and save cash. It was proposed by the Tories when in power and is being followed through by the now ruling Labour group.

Caught in the merger is the current Director of Children’s Services Clive Webster, the man who is seen by many as the architect for a revival in the fortunes of Southampton’s education services. Seems a bit off that just as his hard work – supported by many others, of course – begins to bear fruit and the city’s schools are turning in impressive exam results (still some way to go, though), that his future is put in doubt.

The fact that the council’s advertisement for the new post doesn’t even make mention of education as one of the successful candidate’s roles, is more than a little surprising. Seems as though they simply forgot to include that minor detail in the job spec.’ D-minus for that person then.

We must wait and see whether Mr Webster is successful or the council brings in an outsider. Be assured that we will make sure you, the People, are kept in the loop.