Local authority experts could be drafted in as part of a desperate bid to resolve the crisis surrounding Colchester Council's chief wanting to retire.
A move by John Cobley, the council's chief executive, to take early retirement was stopped in its tracks by councillors after it emerged it would cost tax payers more than £230,000.
After being ordered to return to work last week, Mr Cobley decided to stay at home and he has now been signed off sick until January 7.
Senior councillors say the crisis is crippling the effective running of the council and a solution needs to be found.
Last night (Tuesday), they met Rob Pinkham, deputy executive director of the National Employers Organisation, before considering whether the group can help resolve the fiasco.
The three party group leaders will now take away Mr Pinkham's offer of help and discuss it with other members before a decision is taken to call in outside help.
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