My Mrs had something similar - she applied for a local job at the local council, and had 10 years experience of doing the same job up in London at a more responsible level (but wanted to do the job more locally). Job went to a kid who had been doing the job as an apprentice there for the previous 12 months.

My frustration wasn't that they gave the youngster the chance - good for him, but that they advertised it at all and wasted her time. If they wanted an internal person to have it, just give it to them and save everyone's time

Youngster left after a year doing it, and the next time they advertised it, they asked for a graduate for the job (ridiculously unneccessary) and suprise suprise it was effectively lined up for another internal candidate they wanted

Preblem is local councils have to advertise even though they have decided before the process.