Applications flood in for 200k top job at council

Current chief executive of Dorset Council, Matt Prosser, will be moving to New Zealand

Dorset Council says there has been a large number of inquiries about the Chief Executive role it advertised for which could pay up to £200,000.

"We've had a huge amount of interest. I've spoken to fifteen prospective candidates so far; there are a lot more; and there's a lot more completed applications," said council leader, Nick Ireland.

The position is to replace existing post-holder, Matt Prosser, who is moving to New Zealand later in the year to take up the chief officer post at Wellington City Council.

Of those he has spoken to, Cllr Ireland said, "many had great skills and some may end up on the short list".

Dorset Council leader Nick Ireland says he's already spoken to 15 prospective candidates and some may end up on the short list

Speaking on the recruitment process, the council leader also said that they had saved around £50k by running it in-house, "rather than go out to specialist recruiters as has happened previously".

It is likely that an interim chief executive officer will be appointed once Mr Prosser leaves the council.

Applications close on the 23 February at 23:59 GMT.