Whoever it is that takes up Hertfordshire County Council’s top job later this year, they will be getting a substantially slimmer pay packet than their predecessor.

Senior politicians at the Conservative-run council have decided the new chief executive will get a salary of between £160,000 to £170,000 - compared to the more than £200,000 basic salary of current incumbent Caroline Tapster.

The move comes as the council tries to shrink the heavy wage bill for its top officers, with the salaries of the ten highest earners coming to more than £1.3m a year.

Ms Tapster who has been at the council for 16 years, submitted a request for early retirement which was agreed in December. The 54-year-old, whose total pay packet including pension contributions came to more than £251,000, will step down at the end of May.

On Tuesday, the council’s cross-party employment committee agreed the chief executive’s role that Ms Tapster’s successor will inherit.

The reduction in the chief executive’s pay packet will bring it more in line with next two highest paid officers at the council, John Wood, the director of environment and commercial services, whose basic salary is £165,000, and John Harris, director children, schools and families, on £156,803.

Hertfordshire is to look within its own ranks for its next chief executive, who will be drawn from its team of chief officers.

The council said it intends to merge the role of chief executive with the existing role of whichever officer is chosen for the top spot. The move is anticipated to save the council around £162,000 next year rising to £233,000 a year over following five years.

Interviews for the new chief executive will take place on February 28, with confirmation of the successful candidate expected by March 3.

Robert Gordon, leader of the council, hailed Ms Tapster’s tenure at the helm of the authority, saying she had made it a leading organisation while saving money and improving services.

He said: "A key part of Caroline's contribution has been to develop a strong and productive team of directors, several of whom are well-placed to step up and take on the number one role in the management of the council.

“This is a considered step and our approach has been carefully planned to ensure the new chief executive has the senior support they will need.

“Collectively, the senior management team has led the drive for transformation by example. Departmental directors now manage a wider range of responsibilities and the total pay bill for this top tier of management will reduce by almost half from its 2007-08 level."