CAERPHILLY council is set to turn to its former chief executive Stuart Rosser to steer the ship following the arrests and suspensions of its top two men.

Mr Rosser left his role at Christmas 2010 following a 38-year local Government career that was described as "exemplary". He is now set to come back on board on an interim basis, for an initial six-month period.

A special meeting has been convened on Thursday a week after the arrests of chief executive Anthony O’Sullivan and his deputy, Nigel Barnett.

Mr O’Sullivan has been suspended since March with Mr Barnett stepping in as acting chief executive. They were both arrested last week by Avon and Somerset police.

The pair remain on police bail since being released, with Mr Barnett now also suspended by the local authority.

Acting deputy chief executive Sandra Aspinall assumed the top role last Tuesday as arrangements were made for a special meeting to plan the way forward.

The council announced today that members will be recommended to approve re-appointing Mr Rosser on a temporary basis.

Mr Rosser worked in local Government for 38 years, 14 of which were spent at Caerphilly. The last five of these were as the chief executive.

The highly-respected Mr Rosser was sent off with a ringing endorsement from then council leader Lindsay Whittle after stepping down.

He called his career "exemplary" and said Mr Rosser had provided "excellent stewardship for this authority", leaving it a "robust and fit for purpose organisation".

Mr O’Sullivan was suspended while an investigation was launched into top officers’ pay at Ty Penallta.

Avon and Somerset police, who were called in because it was felt Gwent police would have too much proximity to the council, subsequently launched an investigation after a Wales Audit Office report found that pay rises of up to 20 per cent were unlawful.

The rises saw hundreds of council staff, who have seen their own pay frozen for three years, walk out in disgust.

Mr O’Sullivan’s pay rise was later reduced to £5,000 from the initial £26,000 proposed.

Current council leader Harry Andrews said: "Mr Rosser has extensive experience in key local authority roles, which means he is ideally placed to represent the council’s interests in relation to the imminent governance and financial challenges ahead. He would provide the stability that this organisation needs at this time."

He said the appointment would help strengthen the council and restore public confidence.

At Thursday’s meeting, the leader will outline a number of options that have been considered before recommending the preferred way forward.