The leader of Hampshire County Council has defended the creation of a new £83,000 senior manager position, arguing it will help support the local economy.

David Fletcher has been appointed as assistant director for economic development, even though one in four senior managers have been axed since January 2011 in a bid to reduce the pay bill.
 
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Ken Thornber said: ‘We have reduced the number of senior managers across the county council by 25%, saving millions of pounds on our pay bill and reducing overheads as part of our £100m cost reduction programme.'
 
Thornber explained that two director level posts have been cut and the departments merged as a result.
 
He added: ‘Central Government is clear that councils have a key role to play in supporting local economies, particularly given the current economic climate. We do this through a number of work streams, including apprenticeships, partnerships with local businesses and bidding for infrastructure funding for Hampshire. 
 
‘Economic development is important to us all, and it would be a mistake to assume that any area can take economic success and prosperity for granted.'
 
Fletcher has spent 10 years in economic development in Sheffield and will lead on key areas including inward investment, tourism, regeneration and enterprise.