Concerns about a perceived lack of experience and claims of a rushed process to get him in place led to 18 county councillors opposing the appointment of Dennis Bacon as chief executive at Reform-led County Hall.

But with 45 councillors backing the decision, Mr Bacon - a former winner of the TV show Four in a Bed - will next month take the helm at the authority, which has a budget of £2.3bn.

David Bick, leader of Norfolk County Council (Image: Reform UK)

David Bick, Reform leader at County Hall, said Mr Bacon, who spent 19 years as chairman of the Norfolk Independent Care Association, was the "best person" for the job after a process which attracted 49 applicants.

But the Liberal Democrat and Green groups opposed his appointment, while the council's sole Labour councillor questioned Mr Bacon's record - and timing of his resignation - as director of care company Apple Homecare.

Liberal Democrat group leader Brian Watkins (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Brian Watkins, leader of the Lib Dem group, said: "The process has been carried out with undue haste, with barely any time for proper scrutiny.

"It has been widely reported that Mr Bacon has no background in local government. Surely that........

© Norwich Evening News