The person who will head the new council for Weymouth next year as its town clerk has been announced.

Jane Biscombe was offered the role at the new Weymouth Town Council after a rigorous recruitment exercise and will take up her role full time in January.

She starts in a part-time capacity from November.

The post was advertised as paying between £61,732 and £67,167 a year.

Although the town council will not officially come into being until next April, Jane will be closely involved in managing the project.

This will include supporting the first elections to the new council in May next year and developing its strategic plan.

Jane will be responsible for setting up one of the largest town councils in England and Wales. The new town council is likely to have a budget of around £2.5m and employ up to 50 staff.

A key requirement of the role is to provide strong leadership and build a wide range of positive working relationships with councillors, the council’s workforce and partner organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Speaking about her appointment, Jane Biscombe said: “I’m delighted to have been chosen for this exciting role and am really looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead in setting up a brand new council for Weymouth, and taking forward the town’s ambitious regeneration programme.

“I’m a people, project and change manager, with extensive experience in local government, governance and service delivery.

“Weymouth has a fantastic natural setting with so much potential and I can’t wait to lead the town council through these exciting times of challenge and opportunity.”

She is said to bring a wealth of experience to the role. She has been a town clerk and responsible financial officer for over three years and is CiLCA qualified.

Working as the Town Clerk for Yateley Town Council in Hampshire since 2015, she was awarded the title of New Clerk of the Year in 2017 by the Society of Local Council Clerks. This is the body that recognises professional excellence amongst parish clerks.

Having joined Surrey County Council as a youth worker at the age of 18, Jane has worked for five district, borough and county councils. She has worked in service areas as diverse as community development, committee management and governance, highways, adult social care, project and change management and organisational development.

A nationwide recruitment campaign led by the Local Government Resource Centre took place over the summer to find the right Town Clerk for Weymouth.

More than 20 applications were received for the position. Six candidates were initially shortlisted for the post and, over two days of tests, activities, interviews and presentations, this was whittled down to three outstanding candidates.

Cllr Alison Reed, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council briefholder for Corporate Affairs and Continuous Improvement said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have found such a bright and energetic Town Clerk for Weymouth and confident we have made the right choice.

“Jane has a fantastic track record as a clerk and is someone who, I am sure, will build a positive relationship with councillors and residents to deliver on our aspirations for the town.

“We can’t wait to get started. In preparation for Jane’s arrival we are setting up a shadow Town Council to provide support and strategic advice.”

A new town council for Weymouth is being established as part of the plans for local government reorganisation in Dorset.

The new council will cover the whole of the borough except the area presently covered by Portland Town Council.

It has been agreed that 29 councillors should be elected with the area divided into 12 wards. This number may be reviewed.

The borough council members and officers are now working to establish the functions of the new town council and will be responsible for the resources and assets it will need to support these.

A ‘shadow’ Town Council has been set up to help guide the process. The shadow Town Council is comprised of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s 29 current members. The first meeting of the shadow town council is set to take place on 18 October.