SOMERSET West and Taunton Council chief executive James Hassett, who unexpectedly resigned from his £102,000-a year post in June, starts a new job on Monday which will cost taxpayers in West Sussex £1,341 a day.

Mr Hassett will become interim chief executive officer at Arun District Council while a permanent replacement is sought. The salary includes agency fees.

He left West Somerset after two-and-a-half years as the new council’s first chief executive saying: “It is time for someone else to lead the organisation to its next phase as we become part of a unitary authority.”

Welcoming Mr Hassett to Arun, which includes the towns of Bognor Regis, Arundel and Littlehampton, Lib Dem opposition leader James Walsh said: “We are delighted to have appointed him for this interim role. He will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to areas that we, as a council, will benefit from.”

Council leader Shaun Gunner added: “This is an exciting opportunity for Arun. James will be looking to see how the council can be more sustainable in its finances, how staff can be enabled to innovate and how we can work together to deliver regeneration in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

“I am keen to get cracking and I am sure James is, too.”

But Lib Dem councillor Amanda Worne, who voted against the appointment, said it was ‘absolutely shocking and wrong’ that a person working for the council on a temporary basis would be paid ‘such a massive sum of money’.

Cllr Worne added: “It is totally unfair on the people of Arun, who will be paying in some way or another for this decision. We have some of the most deprived areas in the country and to pay someone to come and do a job for this sort of money just for six months is frankly obscene.

“The only thing to do now is to hope that this interim CEO can give the council the massive shake-up it needs and make a really positive difference to the authority and therefore to the residents of the district.”

Councillors at a special meeting to appoint Mr Hassett were told that during his time at SWT he developed a five-year financial plan to regenerate the local economy, build social and affordable housing and level up deprived communities.

Mr Hassett told the Arun council: “During my brief time in and around the district I am excited to see how much potential it has to offer. In my time at the council I will be focused on supporting councillors and staff to really engage with our residents and partners.”

Former executive operations director of East Hampshire District Council and Havant Borough Council, Mr Hassett was selected from 20 candidates when SWT was established in November 2018.

Announcing his resignation, he said: “I have no idea what the future holds for me but I do know that whether I stand or fall, I want to be the architect of my own future.”