THE new chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council is to earn almost £25,000 less than his predecessor in the face of a deepening financial crisis.

Richard Flinton has taken over from John Marsden at the authority, which needs to save £40 million.

Mr Marsden was on a salary of £179,000, but Mr Flinton will earn £155,000 – although he will be awarded performance-related pay rises in coming years up to £170,000. Council leader John Weighell said it had been considered necessary to review the chief executive’s salary.