A CONTROVERSIAL new senior post at Pembrokeshire County council, with an “eye-watering” salary of as much as £91,000-plus is now being advertised.

The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration job is advertised at £53,982 - £91,443, complete with a £5,259 lease car subsidy, and a “generous pension scheme”, and relocation assistance.

The advertisement states: “The council is looking to attract an experienced professional with an entrepreneurial skill set and a track record in facilitating inward investment, building effective partnerships and accessing funding. The successful candidate will have a balanced management and professional education, a broad experience base across economic development, regeneration, housing property development and an X-factor that makes things happen.”

The proposed new post was discussed, and backed, at the July meeting of full council.

Cabinet member for Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture Cllr Paul Miller said the new post would help the council “get back in the game” of promoting business opportunities in Pembrokeshire.

“This will make a real difference for Pembrokeshire; what we need to do is get on the ground and deliver for Pembrokeshire.”

Cllr Miller said there was a need for a credible plan, warning: “Otherwise there will be another period when this council is a bystander in the decline of Pembrokeshire.”

Cllr Michael Williams, who had previously moved the proposal at committee level, said: “We cannot afford to sit back and fiddle while Rome burns, economically we’re at the point of almost dying.

“We’ve got to grasp this nettle and do something; we need this dedicated professional to engage with these businesses when they come in.”

Despite concerns at the “eye-watering” higher salary level, members had agreed to support the post being advertised.

The post is advertised on counciljobs.wales/councils/pembrokeshire/

Full details may also be seen here