Remember all those daft questions beloved by comedians: How many men does it take to change a toilet roll? Answer: No one knows, it’s never been done.

Then there’s those stupid questions we had at school: If it takes six men three days to dig a hole 20 feet deep, how many geese does it take to make a duvet?

You get the idea. So here’s this week’s question: How many chief executives are needed to manage Cheshire East Council?

The correct answer takes some pondering. Yes, go on then, make a pot of tea and we’ll see if we can work it out together (no sugar for me).

Okay, remember Kim Ryley – he’s leaving. Well, he was until they decided he better stay on to tutor Michael Suarez, his £150k-a-year replacement.

I make that two chief execs, correct?

Now when Mr Ryley resigned  CEC appointed director of strategic commissioning, Lorraine Butcher, as acting chief executive.

That’s three CEO’s, yes?

This week, Cheshire East Council announced the appointment of Peter Bates, currently chief finance officer at City of Stoke Council as chief operating officer for the council.

Now, according to my reckoning that’s four.

Yes, yes, I know one description says chief executive officer and the other chief operating officer, but if you can spot the difference you’re smarter than anyone  I’ve spoken to on the subject.

God knows how much it’s going to cost us before this lot are sorted out.

What’s going to happen to Lorraine Butcher, whose role of director of strategic commissioning is now encompassed in the role of the chief operating officer?

I’m sensing more big payoffs.

So, back to the question: Just how many chiefs does it take to run Cheshire East Council?

We were sold the entire concept of Cheshire East Council on the assurance it would save taxpayers considerable amounts of money.

So, here’s question two in our holiday quiz: How is it doing so far?

Your answers must be written on a used £20 note and dropped down the nearest grid.