The news that Bradford Council is advertising its Chief Executive's job with a salary of up to £200,000 is bound to provoke strong words from some quarters.

There will be those who will question the wisdom of spending so much to secure someone to take the helm of one of the country's largest local authorities.

And, as Bradford people are often prone to do, they will reel off the problems they believe beset the district.

But it is those 'problems' - the need to attract investment, the need to redevelop the city centre, the need to continue repairing relations damaged by the 2001 riots, the need to improve educational standards - which are the very reason why it is right to invest so much in finding the right person to take over the reins from Ian Stewart.

Bradford is on the brink of major transformation and the new Chief Executive will have a vital role in making sure that transformation becomes a reality.

Ian Stewart has already presided over huge change, providing a real foundation for the future. It is now essential that Bradford Council finds the most talented candidate to take over where he leaves off. There can be no second best.

This is the most important appointment the Council has ever had to make. The fact that all political parties have agreed on a salary of up to £200,000 indicates its significance.

It also indicates a united front and a determination to secure the best for Bradford.