THE new chief executive of Islington Council has been named as Lesley Seary - and it has been confirmed that she will get �50,000 a year less than her predecessor.

Ms Seary, who is currently executive director for customer services at Lewisham Council, has been recommended for the role by Islington’s personnel sub-committee, and the decision will be confirmed at the meeting of full council on March 31.

She will replace John Foster CBE, who will retire at the end of May after 40 years’ service to the public sector.

Mr Foster has been criticised for his �210,00 a year salary, and Ms Seary will only get �160,000 as Islington Council seeks to cut costs.

Council leader Catherine West said: “It’s been a careful and rigorous search for our new chief executive.”