Harrow Borough Council's Labour group was accused of "skewed" priorities after it reinstated a chief executive at the same time as preparing to cut millions of pounds from services.

Council leader Councillor David Perry said it was "foolish" to have deleted the post.

Michael Lockwood was reinstated last year as Harrow Council’s chief executive after the role was scrapped by the then Conservative administration in November 2013.

Having started back in his old role at the end of January, his salary has been announced as £160,596 - just under £23,000 less than his previous salary of £183,097.

But opposition councillors say they are angered by the decision to reinstate the role amid cuts to services such as children’s centres and libraries passed at last Thursday’s council meeting.

Councillor Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group, said: “The public cannot see why we are spending money on a chief executive.”

"Much bigger councils like Kent operate perfectly well without a chief executive, so restoring the role in Harrow is because Labour want one, rather than because they need one.

“It's the highest paid public sector job in Harrow. The salary would - with change left over - cover the cost of keeping the Bob Lawrence Library open, which more than 6,000 residents have petitioned against closing.

“By restoring the role, Labour's skewed priorities have become clear for all to see. They have put their own management preferences above the protection of services which, in many cases, residents rely on more than Labour appear to understand."

Mr Lockwood has opted out of joining the Local Government Pension Scheme when he takes up his new post, which is thought will save the authority around £32,000 a year in employee contributions.

Cllr David Perry, leader of Harrow Council, said:“Harrow Council is about to launch a major regeneration plan which could potentially put £1.7bn of investment into the area, and I want a commercially astute chief executive who can manage a project on this scale, as well as managing the organisation through £75m of budget reductions.

“Michael’s commitment to Harrow and the council is illustrated by the fact he is taking a pay cut to return to his old job. One of his early tasks will also be to carry out a restructure of senior management at the council which will save us further significant sums.

“A fair salary for a highly experienced chief executive is an investment which is going to pay itself back.

“Frankly, it was foolish to have deleted this post in the first place. That decision was ill-considered and left a legacy of instability which we are still sorting out.”