SOUTHEND Council will appoint its first female chief executive tomorrow - and she will be paid between £128,000 and £150,000.

Alison Griffin was previously assistant director for communities at the London Borough of Camden from May 2010 to August 2013 - and then deputy director of finance at the same authority until September 2014 .

She will now be leaving her role as director of finance and corporate services at the London Borough of Bexley to take on Southend Council’s prime job.

She be officially “rubber stamped” at Southend Council’s full council tomorrow.

John Lamb, council leader, said: “The appointments and disciplinary committee is delighted to recommend Alison Griffin is appointed as the new Chief Executive and Town Clerk.

“The recruitment and selection process was rigorous and proper, and all candidates should be congratulated for the professionalism and integrity in which it was carried out.”

As director of finance at Bexley, Ms Griffin ran a tight ship, overseeing, like many local authorities across the country, sweeping budget cuts to counter reduced Government funding.

In October, it was reported Bexley Council recorded £6million cuts - with a further £5million predicted.

The authority was expected to spend £1.6million less on services by the end of this month and planned to merge its adoption service with Kent and Medway Council.

Ann Holland, councillor responsible for culture, tourism and the economy was part of the panel who appointed Ms Griffin.

She said: “All the candidates were really good but we felt she was very enthusiastic and very good.

“I think she will be a breath of fresh air and I really look forward to working with our first female chief executive .”

Ms Holland added: “Things will be completely different for Southend. She is very bright and very bubbly and came over really well.

“Her first focus will be to get to know the area and council members and wards. The she will do things in phases.

“She has a timetable for various things like like our budget and moving things forward and she puts a lot of importance on working with other councils.”

Martin Terry, Independent councillor for Victoria ward, also welcomed the appointment.

He said: “One of the issues for us was that she has a strong financial background. Southend Council needs strong financial leadership and we think she will get us back on track.

“We are very pleased. She was our favourite.”

Ms Griffin replaces outgoing chief executive Rob Tinlin, who is returning to his native Scotland after 12 years at the helm.

Ms Griffin will not actually take up her new post until the summer as she has three months to work out on her current contract with Bexley.

A council spokesman confirmed to the Echo yesterday that Ms Griffin will be paid between £128,424 and £150,370 annually.

A start date will be agreed following the full council meeting tomorrow which starts at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend from 6.30pm.