HE could be Britain's highest-paid councillor.

Hampshire businessman Simon Hayes, pictured above, holds three of the most high profile posts in the county and earns a whopping £56,000 a year.

Now he has defended his decision to act as leader of New Forest District Council, chairman of Hampshire Police Authority and chairman of the county council's policy and resources review committee at the same time.

But today the Daily Echo can reveal Mr Hayes has other plans up his sleeve - he will be stepping down from the district council in order to concentrate on becoming an MP.

Cllr Hayes said he will resign as NFDC leader in December and leave the authority altogether at the local elections next May.

He stressed that the move had nothing to do with growing controversy over his decision to hold down all three posts and questioning of whether his commitments to other organisations affected his ability to run the New Forest authority.

The high-flying Tory's hefty wage compares to the £35,300 paid to leader of Hampshire County Council Ken Thornber and the £18,000-plus earned by June Bridle, leader of Southampton City Council.

Cllr Hayes receives £20,000 from the county council, £20,000 from the police authority and £16,000 from the district council - including his £12,500 payment as leader.

At a district council meeting Cllr Hayes was asked by Liberal Democrat Bob Hale how his commitments to the other organisations affected his ability to run the authority.

Cllr Hayes said: "Each role is complementary to the others and raises the profile of New Forest District Council among other statutory bodies.

"I believe I can exercise my roles and responsibilities effectively and efficiently.

"The democratic system will remove me from one or more of those roles when it's deemed that I'm not the best person for the job."

Later Cllr Hayes told the Daily Echo that he spent more than 50 hours a week on council and police authority business.

He said: "It takes a lot of commitment - and there's no pension, no job security and none of the rights that go with regular employment.

"I won't hold these roles for years on end. The workload and the pressure on family life will dictate that it's only short-term."

He confirmed that he was stepping down from the district council later this year to concentrate on his campaign to become Tory MP for Mid-Dorset and North Poole at the next general election.

"When I was selected I gave the local constituency party a commitment that I would not stand again for the district council.

"I've decided to stand down as leader in December to give my successor plenty of time in the job before the local elections next May."

Cllr Hayes said he had no intention of resigning as chairman of the police authority or the policy and resources review committee.

Asked about his busy schedule, fellow politicians said running a local authority was a full-time job in itself.

Southampton City Council leader June Bridle said: "I'm usually at my desk in the civic centre by 7.30am - and I'm often still there at 8pm or 9pm.

"Simon has to juggle his time very carefully, but I haven't heard any complaints. He is very highly regarded at the police authority."