Somerset’s newest council will be paying £115,000 to its new chief executive  before it’s even formed.

Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council voted in March to join forces to form a new authority in a bid to save about £3.1 million and protect front-line services in the years ahead.

James Hassett will become the head of the new Somerset West and Taunton Council – which is currently operating as a shadow authority – on January 1, 2019 – three months before the new council officially takes control on April 1.

He comes to the new council after serving as executive director for operations and place shaping jointly for East Hampshire District Council and Havant Borough Council.

Mr Hassett was one of 20 candidates who applied for the position after the role was officially advertised in mid-October – he was the only one through to the final stage who did not have previous experience of being a chief executive.

At a meeting of the shadow full council in Taunton, Taunton Deane leader John Williams said all four ‘outstanding’ candidates had been through ‘psychometric testing and a rigorous interview process,’ from which Mr Hassett emerged as the best choice.

The new council’s appointment committee voted by a majority of six to one to appoint Mr Hassett when it met, with the shadow full council having to give final approval.

Cllr Libby Lisgo – who voted against his appointment – described the recruitment process as ‘scrappy’ and said she was concerned that Ms Hassett was the ‘least worst’ candidate for the job, rather than the best.

Cllr Ian Morrell questioned whether Mr Hassett would be giving up existing directorships once he took on the new role. Mr Hassett has been listed as a director of the Taunton-based consultancy firm Red Consultancy EU Ltd since July 2007.

Mr Morrell added: “Will Mr Hassett be paid through a limited company and will he receive any bonuses in his role?”

Fiona Wills, the council’s human resources and organisational development manager, replied Mr Hassett would not be paid through any limited company and that there would be ‘no performance-related pay’.

The council voted to confirm Mr Hassett’s appointment.

DANIEL MUMBY

Local democracy reporter