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A council chief executive was paid more than £100,000 for around three months of work, according to a freedom of information request.

Arun District Council’s current chief executive was paid £103,675 for 94 and a quarter days of work during his time as interim CEO- or £1,100 per day.

James Hassett took over the role on a temporary basis following the departure of outgoing CEO Nigel Lynn, as the council had not been able to find a replacement before he left.

Mr Hassett was interim CEO between November 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022.

Arun's interim chief executive's pay is revealed

He would have earned the permanent CEO’s entire yearly salary if he had stayed in the temporary role for around four more weeks.

He was subsequently appointed as ADC’s permanent chief executive with a yearly salary of £125,000.

Rate lowered after public outrage

The interim CEO was originally going to be paid £1,300 a day, which would have cost the council £1,543 per day due to agency fees.

Arun District Council's chief executive James Hassett

But the figure was lowered to £1,341 a day, including agency fees.

This followed negotiations between council leader Shaun Gunner (Con, Rustington East) and Mr Hassett which resulted in him accepting the lower rate.

Mr Gunner explained that this was due to ‘large public concern’ over the interim salary.

This decision eventually saved the council £25,000.

The day rate was criticised by several councillors and members of the public, some of whom said it was ‘obscene’.

Arun chief exec paid £100k for three months' work