Swale council has confirmed its shakeup of its top management.

Members unanimously agreed on Wednesday to axe the £120,000-a-year role of director of corporate services formerly filled by Mark Radford who has been the council’s interim chief executive since February.

They also confirmed Mr Radford as full-time chief executive and made staff member Emma Wiggins full-time director of regeneration. She temporarily stepped into the role a year ago.

Council leader Cllr Andrew Bowles said: “It is important this council has stability. Both Mr Radford and Ms Wiggins have performed exemplary in their roles.

“It became obvious there was no need to reinstate one of the most expensive posts in this organisation which is now totally redundant.

"It not only gives us a major saving but it allows us to offer our officers a permanent position so they will not be tempted to be filched by another organisation.”

Cllr Mike Baldock, leader of the council’s Ukip party, said: “It is right we recruit from our own people where possible” andIndependent Cllr Mike Henderson said he “totally agreed” with the proposals.

Cllr Duncan Dewar-Whalley, the Cabinet’s finance spokesman, who has spent 42 years in recruitment, said: “I can honestly say I don’t recall anyone taking over in such a smooth and natural way as Mr Radford has.

“He doesn’t just sit on the third floor. He goes down to other levels to meet all staff and has gone out of his way to meet members of outside organisations.

"He has been with this council for 32 years and knows this borough inside out. To lose somebody like that would be a disaster.”

Only Cllr Lloyd Bowen (Con, Teynham and Lynsted) expressed concerns and said it was important appointing two of the most senior officers was seen to be open and fair.

But Cllr Bowles said: “In most appointments we have two days to make up our minds. This time we have had nine months. It has been a very thorough recruitment process.”