JUST one candidate applied for the role of Gwent Police chief constable, a report ahead of next week’s Gwent police and crime panel has revealed.

The panel is due to review the proposed appointment of acting chief constable Julian Williams next Tuesday, following a recommendation by the the police and crime commissioner.

The report says the recruitment campaign for the top police job, with an annual salary of £138,504, attracted only one candidate – but that “this is not unusual in the context of senior police appointments where two or three is probably the norm”.

It is the third time a row there has only been one candidate for the position, according to documents on the PCC’s website.

Retiring chief constable Jeff Farrar was the only candidate when he was chosen to replace predecessor Carmel Napier in 2013, while Ms Napier was also the only applicant at interview when she was appointed in 2010.

The report for next week’s meeting says: “I am confident that the PCC made extensive efforts to publicise the role and seek a range of candidates.

“The advertisement for the role of chief constable was placed on the websites of the PCC for Gwent and Gwent Police.

“It was also disseminated by the College of Policing, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

“The announcement was issued to all national, regional and local media as well as trade press and media.

“Seven tweets were issued, tagging multiple organisations and authorities with substantial reach each time.

“Despite these efforts, only one application was received.”

Mr Williams joined Gwent Police from South Wales Police in 2014 as temporary assistant chief constable and was permanently appointed to the role in 2015. In January 2017, he was promoted to deputy chief constable.

“He is the regional policing lead for the national police air service, modern slavery and the joint firearms unit, which operates across Dyfed Powys, South Wales and Gwent,” adds the report.

During the interviewing process, Mr Williams was said to have answered all questions successfully, achieving eight marks above the pre-determined minimum score. The appointment panel chosen by the PCC concluded unanimously that Mr Williams should be appointed.

The report continues: “Throughout the process, the panel were able to determine that the candidate had a clear public service ethos with a commitment to communications and engagement.

“The candidate showed self-motivation and ambition and was confident that he could ensure Gwent met all future challenges as well as continuing the drive for improvement and efficiency in line with the identified savings plan. The appointments panel concluded that the candidate more than met the competencies and values required for the role.”

The police and crime commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, said he will be making no further comment until the conclusion of the appointment process.

“There are strict processes we must adhere to as police and crime commissioners with regards to the recruitment of a chief constable,” he said.