ERIC Robinson has officially started his job as the new chief executive of Wirral Council.

The former deputy chief executive and director for people at Staffordshire County Council took up the council reins on Tuesday.

Once he settles in, Mr Robinson will have to quickly come to grips with overseeing multi-million pound cuts in the council's budget and a major "remodelling" of staffing structures and salary scales to reduce spending.

The authority advertised for a new chief executive to replace Graham Burgess, who retired at the end of last year.

But Mr Robinson will earn more than his predecessor, with the authority boosting the pay to £175,000 to attract the best person for the job.

Prior to joining Staffordshire County Council in 2005, Mr Robinson was director of social services at Cambridgeshire County Council, and before that, was director of social services at the London Borough of Enfield.

Mr Robinson's Facebook reveals he is originally from Liverpool and a keen supporter of the Reds.

A former social worker, Mr Robinson has a strong background in partnership and transformation and improvement work.

He sits on the Ministerial Steering Group for Commissioning and is currently working with the Department for Education and the Cabinet Office to develop new ways of delivering children’s services.

Wirral Council's Employment and Appointments Panel made a unanimous decisionin February to appoint Mr Robinson.