RECRUITMENT will soon begin for three of the most high-profile and best-paid jobs at Bolton Council.

The authority is looking for a new director of public health as well as new chiefs for the departments of place and people services.

Last night the chief officer’s appointments panel was due to agree its strategy for recruiting the £102,000 plus director of public health role.

It was expected to sign off on the the use of the Executive Search Agency, allowing it to then begin liaising with Public Health England and the Faculty of Public Health.

The successor to David Herne will be responsible for tackling inequalities and life expectancy gaps across Bolton. The Faculty of Public Health describes the director as “having a pivotal role in population’s health”.

The job is expected to be especially challenging given the borough’s public health grant for the last three years has been reduced by £2.419 million.

Mr Herne occupied the post as part of a shared arrangement with Salford Council between November 2015 and May 2018.

However, the budget for a full-time position has been maintained by town hall chiefs.

The authority is proposing to fill two other corporate leadership-tier roles — director of place and director of people services — in the same recruitment campaign.

The salaries are based on a scale and the starting point will depend on the experience of the successful candidate.

But during the 2017/18 financial year the director of place role attracted a salary of £117,312 and people services £120,193.

The director of place will be at the helm of the £1bn masterplan to transform Bolton town centre, including the key Church Wharf, Crompton Place and Central Street sites. Events including the Ironman triathlon, Bolton Food and Drink Festival also fall within the remit.

The director of people will be expected to manage the growing cost and demand for both adult services and increasing pressure in younger adults' services.