Council chiefs have appointed their new community boss in the latest internal staff member selection.

Rhona Arthur was appointed the council’s new Connected Communities head of service having served as interim boss for the department and information and culture senior manager.

The latest internal appointment was made at a meeting of North Ayrshire Council’s Staffing and Recruitment Committee late last month.

Meetings papers state four candidates were up for interview for the post – with one deciding to pull out ahead of the interview stage.

We previously reported how Audrey Sutton had been appointed as Executive Director Communities and education after the council previously approved a new chief officer and directorate structure.

David Hammond was also confirmed as the council’s commercial head of service late this year after previously serving as interim boss.

Council chiefs were previously criticised for the internal selection of the current top officer – by Scotland’s Accounts Commission watchdog now headed up by North Ayrshire’s former boss Elma Murray.

At the time top dog Craig Hatton said they would take the commissions recommendations into account.

North Ayrshire Council said it hoped to streamline its services confirming changes now underway and will take effect in two phases.

The council announced that by the time the restructure is complete, directorates and Executive Directors will reduce from four to two and the post of one Head of Service will be removed and a dedicated director post to deliver growth and investment will be created.

Chief Executive Craig Hatton said: “We have great ambitions for the people of North Ayrshire and its economy. The result will be a more streamlined, efficient structure which will allow us to be leaner, sharper and better positioned to focus on our priorities.

“Collaborative working will be key to our future success.”