The next LGA chief executive should be paid ‘less than £170,000', says the second council leader to announce he is standing as next chairman of the LGA.

Kensington and Chelsea RLBC leader, Merrick Cockell, told The MJ: ‘The big beasts should be the politicians. We don't need a High Street name. It could be an ex-council chief executive or a star of the future, or even someone outside local government.'