A position in a spin-off company of Bexley Council paying a yearly wage of £20,000 for 36 days of work has been filled.

BexleyCo, the authority’s property development arm, advertised the senior position of chairman for the company late last year.

The advert states the role pays £20,000 per annum for approximately three days of work a month.

In a statement, Bexley Council said the role had since been filled by the permanent appointment of Michael Hill, who had previously held the role on an interim basis.

The authority also said the wage for the role – which works out at £555 a day over a year – was based off “specialist advice and market comparison” aimed at attracting “candidates of the appropriate skill and experience”.

“The recruitment to the role of Chairman has now been completed and Michael Hill, who was formerly covering the role on an interim basis, has been appointed,” a Bexley Council spokesperson said.

“The remuneration for the role was the subject of specialist advice and market comparison when the Company was established to ensure that candidates of appropriate skill and experience to lead the Company could be attracted.”

In their advert, the authority states the company is looking for “a dynamic and energetic Chairman who will deliver on the company’s business plan for high quality housing for new and sustainable communities”.

“For this role, you will have extensive experience in housing development, excellent commercial skills with the ability to engage and energise partners and stakeholders. You’ll be adept at working with elected members and officers to achieve shared priorities,” the ad states.

BexleyCo was established by the council in 2017 in a bid to develop extra housing in the borough, with the authority lending it £300k that year to commence operations.

Their recent activities have included gaining planning permission to demolish the former Hainault Care Home at Erith and erect 25 new homes in its place.

However, their actions have also been criticised by some quarters – with opposition leader Daniel Francis last year accusing the company of wasting tax payer’s money, following multiple proposals by the firm being rejected or withdrawn.