Gravesham Council is set to take its shared services with Tonbridge and Malling Council one step further - by combining their chief executive.

In a press conference today, Gravesham Council leader Councillor Mike Snelling introduced David Hughes, who they hope will act as chief executive for both authorities.

The role, currently occupied by Glyn Thomson at Gravesham and David Hughes at Tonbridge and Malling, would mean the overall management of both councils was combined.

The proposal, which is yet to be formally confirmed by both councils, would see Mr Hughes paid £118,000 - £59,000 from each authority.

The plan would be trialled for a two year period and would see a combined saving of £108,000 for both councils.

Cllr Snelling and Tonbridge and Malling Council leader Councillor Mark Worrall, who both lead Conservative authorities, said that the move “made sense”.

Cllr Snelling said: “We already share a number of services so it occurred to us both as leaders that it was an opportunity.

“We will keep our own sovreignty - we’re very precious about that - but we both saw a shared management opportunity.”

Mr Thomson is set to retire as chief executive of Gravesham Council in July, after which time Mr Hughes would take up the combined role.

Mr Hughes said: “I’m very pleased to have this opportunity to work with both councils.

“Each council will be paying 50 per cent so it’s only right and fair that I spend fifty per cent of my time at each.

“The one thing I can’t be is in two places at once, but both councils have a very strong management team, so we will continue to develop those existing teams.“

Final budget

Cllr Snelling and Mr Thomson also put forward Gravesham Council’s final budget for the next four years, which reflects the announcements made last year.

Council tax will be frozen, frontline services and events such as the Big Day Out will be protected, and 44 council posts will be shed through natural wastage.