The top job has been vacant since Alan Mellor retired due to ill health in October last year and the successful candidate will replace interim chief executive Philip Marshall.

Councillors agreed to advertise the post and increase the salary to make sure they attracted a wide range of candidates at a meeting on Friday.

Coun Gail Turner, an Independent councillor with the Independent-Conservative Alliance, told the meeting: "We need to be looking at people from outside this authority and hear what they have to say, which may include new and fresh ideas to drive Ashfield forward."

Her argument was echoed by Liberal Democrat Jason Zadrozny, who said there were around 245 senior council officials made redundant last year when some borough and district councils were dissolved.

He said: "I think there is somebody out there of a high calibre who can take Ashfield higher."

The council agreed to set a higher salary –– the previous pay was between £80,007 and £92,301 –– despite concerns raised by some members.

Said Coun Austin Rathe: "The Liberal Democrats will not support any increase in the grading of chief executive unless it is funded by a restructuring of the roles to realise these savings."

But Labour council leader John Knight dismissed the idea and said: "We are not going to change the structure in the next few weeks because we are talking about advertising it now.

"If we increase the band from £80,000 to £107,000 then we can go for the best candidate and see what they are paid."

The motion was carried by five votes to three.