A MERRY-go-round of Hampshire’s top paid council jobs gets underway this week, the Daily Echo can reveal.

First to go is the man responsible for paying Hampshire County Council’s bills for the past 27 years.

County treasurer Jon Pittam is hanging up his chequebook to enjoy retirement on Wednesday.

His role has seen him look after all aspects of finance at the authority, which has an annual budget of £1.7 billion, paying the 700,000 bills that come in each year, and taking responsibility for the £6.5 billion of investments made through the Hampshire Pension Fund.

He has also been treasurer for Hampshire Police Authority and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

Council leader Cllr Ken Thornber led the tributes saying Mr Pittam would be “sadly missed”.

He said: “He will leave behind an impressive financial legacy. Jon has helped many councillors come to grips with the complexities of local government finance and has steered us through some very difficult times.”

Southampton City Council’s finance boss Carolyn Williamson has resigned from her job after five years to step into Mr Pittam’s shoes. She will leave her post next month.

Mrs Williamson has overseen the transfer of key services and around 650 staff to business outsourcing giant Capita, and the construction of new offices due to open next month.

The career move will boost her pay boost from around £125,000 to up to £160,000, plus benefits.

She said: “I am really looking forward to taking up post in August.

“I have no doubt that there will be challenges to be faced, particularly in this difficult economic climate, a period where we will face significant financial pressures as a council.”

Cabinet member for resources councillor Jeremy Moulton said: “I am very sorry indeed to lose Carolyn as she has been a first class officer.

Carolyn has delivered a tremendous amount for the city council in the time that she has been here, helping to deliver a more efficient and more responsive council.

I wish her every success in her new role where I am sure she will do a superb job.”

Meanwhile a shortlist of candidates will be drawn up this week in the search for a new £172,000 chief executive for Southampton council.

Current chief and boss of nearly 10,000 workers Brad Roynon announced he will retire in November as he turns 60, after a nine year stint in the top job.

International executive recruiters Odgers Berndtson will present a secret long list of candidates to a panel of leading councillors tomorrow.

Candidates will have a “proven track record at senior leadership level in the public or private sector”, along with “natural charisma” to “inspire people, drive change and forge partnerships in equal measure”.

The council last month installed a new executive director for health and adult social care Penny Furness-Smith.