NEWPORT city council is looking to recruit a new head of finance.

The authority, which has advertised the position on the Guardian website, states the post will attract a salary of around £80,000 per annum.

It is understood that the current head of finance, Chris Barton, is moving on from the organisation.

The advertisement says the head of finance would play “a vital role in maintaining the quality and sustainability of the council’s services, as well as advising the senior leadership team on all finance-related matters”.

“The council is facing an unprecedented financial challenge and as a result we have to significantly reduce our budget yet at the same time address an increasing demand for our services,” the advertisement reads.

It adds: “It is important that we have an organisation that has a clear purpose and our mission, ‘Improving people’s lives – providing the best affordable services’, has to be central to everything that we do.”

The head of finance oversees the payment of a comprehensive range of financial transaction which include council tax and rates, council tax benefits, housing benefits, the internal audit of council services and the staff payroll, among other services. Applications must be received by 10am on Friday, December 6.