Harrow Council has appointed a new chief executive, who will be paid more than the prime minister. 

Pat Flaherty will replace Sean Harriss in leading the council, which is now politically controlled by the Conservatives for the first time since 2013 following their victory in this month’s local elections. 

Mr Flaherty will arrive in the autumn following a long stint at Somerset County Council, where he served as CEO for almost a decade. 

His public service career has also seen him hold key posts in areas including regeneration, transport and health.  

His salary, as advertised by Harrow Council, will be £185,950 – more than Prime Minister Boris Johnson is entitled to. 

When the Tories were last in power, they decided to abolish the chief executive position, but new council leader Clr Paul Osborn said they would look to establish continuity this time round provided they found “the right person”. 

Cllr Osborn said: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter in Harrow’s story. As an administration, we are keen to begin working hard for the people of Harrow and doing so in partnership with our borough’s new chief executive. 

“Pat impressed me throughout the selection period with his commitment to public service and his broad experience of local authority leadership.”

Mr Flaherty said he was “honoured” to be joining the council and that it was “an exciting time” to be coming to Harrow. 

There has also been much praise for outgoing CEO Mr Harriss, who extended his stay in the role to help steer the borough through the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Cllr Osborn thanked Mr Harriss for his time and wished him the best going forward, while Mr Flaherty acknowledged he will be “a hard act to follow”. 

Mr Harriss is set to leave the council at the end of this month, where he will be replaced by current director of people services, Paul Hewitt, who will serve as interim chief executive until Mr Flaherty joins.