TEST Valley's new chief executive is to receive a salary package worth £100,000 a year.

The closing date for applications for the top post is 6 May with interviews starting on 19 May and a shortlisting on 28 May.

A final three-day selection begins on the evening of 8 June with a 'trial by sherry' with final interviews on 10 June.

The council says it is looking for an inspirational, motivational and enthusing leader and corporate player who is committed to local democracy, social justice and accountability to the community.

In his message to applicants council leader Ian Carr describes Test Valley Borough Council as 'lean and mean' and says that the current chief executive, Alan Jones, will be a 'hard act to follow'.

Whether council tax payers will as happy following this year's big council tax increase is doubtful, believes outgoing borough councillor Garry Rankin-Moore.

"I think the salary is a bit over the top - I'm not sure what we are paying Alan Jones," said Mr Rankin-Moore, who represented the Alamein ward for 12 years.

"The problem is there are so many councils advertising for staff. It is hard getting hold of good chief executives.

"As an officer of the council Alan Jones was very knowledgeable and very good. I'm not surprised at the salary but in view of the fact that the council tax went up by so much I don't think people will be very pleased at all.

"I have been arguing for restraint on members allow-ances for some time but from the council's point of view chief officers are in high demand and there aren't enough to go round."

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has already had difficulty in recruiting a chief executive and rejected the first four short-listed applicants as unsuitable.

It is looking at ways of running a council without a chief executive.