ONLY one person has applied for the job as temporary head of services at Caerphilly council, sources said today.

And the sources say that person is former chief executive Stuart Rosser.

A panel of seven councillors met to discuss applicants on Thursday, with council sources saying that Mr Rosser was the only person they discussed for the job.

Sources told us that the five Labour and two Plaid Cymru panel members unanimously agreed to bring Mr Rosser back, with him returning on a 3.5 day working week for six months initially.

It is also believed that Mr Rosser did not accept the advertised salary of between £142,524 and £158,360, stating he would return for the salary he was earning before his retirement in 2010, thought to be considerably lower.

The decision of the panel is due to be rubber-stamped by full council on Tuesday.

The news follows the arrest and suspension of chief executive Anthony O'Sullivan and his deputy Nigel Barnett on suspicion of fraud and misconduct in public office.

The local authority released a statement last Tuesday, where leader Harry Andrews was quoted recommending the highly-respected Mr Rosser’s appointment.

The same recommendation was included in the agenda for last week’s special council meeting to debate the issue. It also stated Mr Rosser had agreed to return to the council on a three or 3.5 day working week for six months, at a cost of up to £65,000.

But as councillors arrived at Ty Penallta they were handed a new agenda recommending that the post be advertised.

The reason for this was that after taking further legal advice, the local authority realised it had to follow the due process and advertise the role.

After it was advertised for a week, councillors met and discussed the application, meaning Mr Rosser will at last be confirmed in the role.

Some independent and Plaid Cymru members have questioned if a 3.5 day working is enough to turn around the beleaguered authority. Plaid Cymru’s Rob Gough said: "Considering everything that has happened in the past few months, including the about-turn on the appointment at the very last moment, the council needs someone to work full-time and get a firm grip on things."

But, Blackwood’s Nigel Dix said: "It is good news as Stuart Rosser is liked by the staff. It'simportant that he has knowledge of this authority and can hit the ground running."

Leader of the Plaid Cymru group Colin Mann said: "I understand Stuart Rosser has offered to work for the salary he had before he left. This puts in sharp perspective the nonsense with senior pay rises. I hope it is something he looks into."

Caerphilly council's official spokesman said he could not release an official statement.