SUFFOLK’S search for a new chief spin doctor could be nearing a conclusion.

Interviews were held for a new head of strategic communications at the county council this week.

The county is understood to be preparing to make an announcement about the post within the next few days.

The job was originally advertised in September with a salary band of �55,000 to �64,000 a year – considerably less than the salary of the previous head of strategic communications Carryl Jackson who was earning about �80,000 before she left the job earlier this year.

The sum is also considerably less than is being paid to interim head of communications Jill Rawlins who is costing the council �800 a day – �650 in fees and �150 to the agency that found her – during her six-month contract.

Interviews for the new job were originally held in early October, but no one suitable was found and the job was readvertised.

The council’s appointments committee gathered to consider the appointment this week and an announcement is expected to be made soon.

Once the appointment is made, the council is expected to appoint a chief press officer at a salary of up to �49,000 and a press officer on up to �26,000 a year.

The communications’s department at the county council has been re-organised over recent months with 18 staff directly accountable to the new head.

Until earlier this year the council had 33 staff doing communications work in different departments – now all its communications work will be done by the single department.