The chief executive of Stafford BC has joined a growing band of part-time council chief executives across the country, it has emerged.

Stafford boss Ian Thompson has agreed to cut his working week from 37 to 30 hours from March until his retirement after the May 2015 local elections.

It is hoped to save £21,000 by reducing Mr Thompson's hours to that of a four-day week – bringing his salary down to £85,000.

Mr Thompson, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, returned to his role as chief executive before Christmas.

Stafford leader, Cllr Mike Heenan said: ‘We welcome the fact that Mr Thompson has made his intentions known which gives us plenty of time to plan for his replacement.'

Mr Thompson's joins a growing roster of part-time chief executives across local government.

Barry Quirk, chief executive at Lewisham LBC, Basildon Council boss Bala Mahendran and Rob Tinlin, who runs Southend-on-Sea Council have all in effect become part time chiefs.

In July 2011 Mr Quirk agreed to work a three-day week, cutting his salary from £192,387 to £115,432 a year until his retirement this June.

Last August Mr Mahendran at Basildon accepted a salary cut from £155,904 to more than £93,000 after he took on a three-day week to helm the Essex council as part of cost-cutting measures.  And last December Southend chief Mr Tinlin asked to work a four-day working week.

It also emerged this week that Redbridge LBC chief executive Roger Hampson has made the move to flexible retirement following agreement with the borough's main political parties.