MY old mate and drinking partner David Poole really protests too much. As a former Conservative town councillor and indeed their deputy leader on the old North Wiltshire District Council he knows perfectly well that there is a well-established practice and procedure for selecting a new town clerk or chief executive. 
This involves a professional approach and party politics does not enter into it. 
I am not up to speed on the details but the salary usually reflects national scales and rates for the job, which reflect the size of the town and the responsibilities involved.
Perhaps David would venture to suggest what he thinks is the rate for the job?
ROSS HENNING
Former Chippenham Town Mayor