The new chief executive of Buckinghamshire County Council will be expected to take up to a £50,000 pay cut following ‘significant’ cuts to services in a bid to make £53 million of savings.

The new salary, previously £214k, will now range between £160k and £200k.

Council leader Martin Tett, said: “The salary has been revised down to reflect market conditions.”

Worse than expected funding cuts from central government has seen a 3.99 per cent council tax rise over the next four years being approved by councillors, as well as staff restructuring at the council and more services being made available online to save money.

The current chief executive, Chris Williams, is set to retire at the end of the month. Applications for the post have now closed and the council is in the process of making a final decision.