THE search is on for a chief executive for the new Somerset West and Taunton Council.

He or she will be responsible for the day-to-day provision of services by the council, which will replace West Somerset Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council in April next year

The job description and recruitment process for the chief executive were agreed at a meeting on Monday of the shadow council, which is overseeing the transition to the new authority, despite a number of dissenting voices.

Cllr Ian Morrell questioned whether a bonus would be expected by a prospective candidate, and queried: “If we were to have a chief executive who is always sick, what provision would we put in place?”

Taunton Deane leader Cllr John Williams took the comment to be referring to current chief executive Penny James and responded that she was “doing a first-class job”.

Cllr Libby Lisgo accused the council of “deliberate carelessness” regarding the process, adding: “The cost of going through this full recruitment process will cause gasps of horror out there in the real world.”

Provision for a new chief executive was included in the business case for the new council, which has been signed off by central government.

The new incumbent can expect to earn between £115,000 and £125,000 a year.

Ms James earns £111,100