West Dorset District Council chief executive David Clarke will lead two local authorities under a new working partnership.

He was appointed to the post ahead of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council chief executive Tom Grainger.

The two councils aim to share officers to deliver services and save around £8.5million over the next five years.

Mr Clarke will earn a salary of £110,000 and a potential £5,000 performance related bonus, in his role with the new WestWey partnership.

Mr Clarke said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed to this challenging role and look forward to working with councillors and colleagues. The WestWey Partnership is the most significant change for our two authorities in the past 35 years. The partnership provides a unique opportunity to protect and improve local services at less cost.

“Both West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland councils have superb staff and by working as one team we can meet the challenges facing local government.

“The savings we will make over the next five years will be used to protect and develop frontline services, even in the severe financial climate the two councils face as a result of the national spending review.”

Councillors at West Dorset District Council rubber-stamped the appointment at their full council meeting, Council leader Robert Gould told the meeting: “I’m delighted to congratulate David on his appointment, it’s a hugely important challenge.

“We know this way we will be able to deliver savings of £8.5million at least over the next five years.”

Councillor Gould also paid tribute to Mr Grainger, who had been instrumental in the move to further unite the authorities.

He said: “It was a difficult choice, it was the two chief executives that drove this project forward.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s spokesman for corporate affairs and continuous improvement Geoff Petherick thanked Mr Grainger for his contribution after the council also backed the appointment.

He said: “Tom Grainger served as our chief executive for 12 years and we thank him for the work and contribution he has made.

A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said that Mr Grainger would not receive a golden handshake.

Mr Grainger said: "David and I worked very closely in developing the WestWey Partnership for some considerable time.

"We both knew the risks involved to us personally and I would like to congratulate David on his appointment.

"Given the reduced funding for local government it has been pretty clear for some time that firm action was needed if important services are to be protected."

Mr Grainger said he would continue living in Weymouth and added: "I've worked in local government for 35 years and I will now need to consider how I want to spend the rest of my working life."