Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott has proposed the appointment of a new chief executive to manage a budget of nearly £500m.

Mr Scott says David Paul, who will be paid up to £110,000 a year, will have to have “relentless focus” in driving down crime, making the streets safer and looking after victims.

But one of the major tasks on his to-do list will be to oversee Kent Police’s annual budget of £495m and manage a small team.

Mr Paul will replace outgoing post holder, Adrian Harper, who leaves in November.

The Kent and Medway Police and Crime Panel, which sits at County Hall in Maidstone on October 10, will formally be told of Mr Scott’s proposed appointment.

The panel will be asked to review the selection process before confirming the post.

Twenty-eight applications were received and four were shortlisted.

The panel will be told Mr Paul has extensive experience in policing, including a role as assistant chief officer for South East Forces.

He also had a senior job within the national Police Chiefs’ Council, majoring on pay and workforce issues and acted as programme director at the Metropolitan Police.

He also acted as the chief of staff within the Downing Street strategy unit.

Papers to the panel state: “During the interview process, Mr Paul gained the highest score of all the candidates across each of the individual questions, including integrity and political awareness.”

Mr Scott has said the role will require Mr Paul to be a “visible and inspirational leader”.