Hertfordshire County Council chief executive Caroline Tapster

THE next chief executive of Hertfordshire County Council is set to be on a cutback salary – although will still earn more than the Prime Minister.

Whoever is appointed to replace Caroline Tapster, who is retiring in May, will earn between £160,000 and £170,000.

While the wage is substantially less than the £203,427 Ms Tapster is paid, it is still more than PM David Cameron’s £150,000 salary.

The change will actually save the council £162,000 a year – projected to rise to £233,000 a year after five years.

That is because Ms Tapster’s replacement, who will given the new title ‘chief executive and director’, will be selected from the current strategic management board.

The new leader will encompass all of the statutory head of paid service responsibilities, together with some of their present-day responsibilities – allowing for the deletion of a chief officer post and the saving of cash.

The chief executive’s high salary was, according to Robert Oxley, campaign manager of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, “difficult to justify”.

He told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “With savings to be made council chiefs should lead from the front.

“Residents will be glad to see that council bosses have taken a pay cut but this must be part of a wider commitment to save taxpayers’ money, not just a token gesture.

“Many people have seen their council tax bills nearly double in the last decade without a corresponding increase in services, in this light it’s difficult to justify continuing with such huge salaries for council chiefs.”

Council leader Robert Gordon said the total pay bill for the top-tier in management would result in being almost half of 2007/8’s level.

He added: “A key part of Caroline’s contribution has been to develop a strong and productive team of directors, several of whom are well-placed to step up and take on the number one role in the management of the council.

“This is a considered step and our approach has been carefully planned to ensure the new chief executive has the senior support they will need.

“Collectively, the senior management team has led the drive for transformation by example. Departmental directors now manage a wider range of responsibilities.”

The new chief executive is expected to be confirmed by March 3.