A NEW chief executive has taken up his post at Newcastle Borough Council.

John Sellgren started work at the authority in the £99,000-a-year role after the Christmas break.

The former director of strategy and partnerships at Hertfordshire County Council was appointed in October following a search costing taxpayers £13,000.

The Birmingham-born 47-year-old has also served as head of policy at Norfolk County Council and director of the County Councils Network in London.

Council leader Simon Tagg, writing on his monthly blog, welcomed the new chief executive to Newcastle.

He said: "I would like to warmly welcome John Sellgren to the borough council.

"John took up his post on January 4 and got straight down to business.

"He has met Cabinet members for our weekly briefing and is getting to know council staff.

"John will meet representatives from our partner organisations over the coming weeks."