BASILDON Council’s decision to appoint a head of communications on a £117,000 salary has been slammed as “wasteful”.

The council advertised for applicants for the job through an agency and the person started on Monday.

However, the whopping salary of £117,000 has been criticised by councillors.

Alan Bennett, Labour councillor for Lee Chapel North, said he was unaware that the job had been advertised and of the salary.

The advert would have been put up by the administration department and not the councillors.

Mr Bennett said: “People are not going to see any benefit from this money.

“I have long, long though that the budget for marketing should be halved - if not more than that.

“The money could be used on something that residents will benefit from.

“It is, I think, a year-and-a-half since the hot meals service for the elderly was cut, which was a lifeline for elderly people.

“It is disgusting that the job has this salary.

“I am very angry and upset by this news.”

His thoughts were echoed by Labour councillor for St Martin’s, David Burton-Sampson.

He said: “The council is having to make difficult decisions on where we are spending money and for them to spend this amount of money on a salary seems to be a bit wasteful.

“We are having to cut services such as Mind and I find it a bit shameful that we are spending this money on something that residents will not see much benefit from.”

Basildon Council confirmed the salary was £117,000 but claimed it was justified.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “Basildon Council is going through a period of significant change as it responds to changing needs and continued reductions to government funding.

“We are currently restructuring our communications team and have engaged short-term external support to help us in this process.

“Any permanent appointments we make following our restructure will be set in line with those paid for similar posts in comparable organisations.”