OPPOSITION councillors in Wirral have launched a broadside against town hall plans to recruit a public affairs manager on a salary of £40,000.

The local authority has placed on its website and in the Guardian newspaper an advertisement for the job that says "the aim of the post is to drive engagement around key initiatives, enhance the organisation’s reputation as well as to influence legislation."

Conservatives claim it could fly in the face of national guidance for councils which prohibits them from hiring lobbyists to try to persuade the government to support their cause.

Wallasey Tory councillor Ian Lewis said: “A job that pays up to £40,216 a year is beyond the dreams of many of the existing council staff who have been told time and time again that there is no money left or - in the case of the care staff at Girtrell Court - that there is no money to pay them at all.

“The increasingly arrogant way in which decisions are taken by a carefully handpicked inner core of people is offensive to staff and taxpayers alike – if the cabinet wants to enhance their own reputation they should scrap this job before it’s too late.

“This position is potentially in breach of guidance that councils should not be hiring lobbyists to act for them with central Government.

"And why on earth does Wirral Council need to employ someone to ‘influence legislation’ anyway?

"Isn’t that the job of the borough’s four MPs?"

A council spokesman said: "Public affairs is an established job role in local government and common to many councils.

"Local authorities are regularly asked to respond to government consultations and give our views as legislation is developed, and this will be a key part of the role.

"The public affairs manager will help Wirral to have its voice heard at a national level, ensuring that the borough can punch above its weight and play its part as a key influencer and shaper of national debate.

"In a period of significant uncertainty it is crucial local authorities can build relationships with business, industry and central government to attract investment into the borough and achieve the best outcomes for residents.

"In this way, the successful candidate will help to deliver the council’s 2020 plan."

The cabinet appears already to be on collision course with the department for communities and local government after it voted to press ahead with producing a monthly Wirral Council newspaper.

The DCLG says publication of these papers should be restricted to just four times per year.

The ruling Labour group argues the move will save money and improve communication with householders across the peninsula.