LANCASHIRE’S top council chief has taken up a directorship in Liverpool, it has emerged.

Phil Halsall was appointed as a director of Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre Ltd in December.

Lancashire County Council leader Geoff Driver admitted he had been unaware of the appointment, but said it had been registered correctly.

He insisted Mr Halsall, who earns £195,000 in his role at County Hall, could bring expertise from the position to his work in Lancashire.

But critics said it was a ‘very questionable use of the chief executive’s time’ as the authority faces huge budget cuts.

Great Harwood Labour councillor Ciaran Wells said: “It’s hard to see how this is a good deal for the rate-payers of Lancashire.

"It’s important that we have assurances that the main priority at this time is Lancashire County Council.”

Lancashire County Council is currently attempting to make £179million cuts to services, including adult social care, children’s centres and bus routes.

It has refused to reveal how many jobs are at risk from the cuts.

The arena and conference centre business, known as ACC Liverpool, is owned by Liverpool City Council.

It includes the Liverpool Echo Arena and the BT conference centre.

Mr Halsall, who said he was not being paid for the role, was heavily involved in setting it up in his former job as the city’s resources chief.

Mr Halsall was promoted to the role of chief executive from finance director at county hall after the departure last month of previous boss Ged Fitzgerald, who left County Hall to take over at Liverpool City Council.

Coun Driver said Mr Halsall had told Mr Fitzgerald of his directorship role, which had been correctly recorded in the register of interests, and insisted it did not matter that he had not been notified.

It will be carried out in his spare time.

The appointment was recorded on Companies House documents on December 8.

Coun Driver said: “I didn’t know, and there’s no requirement for me to know.

"It’s been done via the proper process, and registered in the officers’ register of interests.

“I am satisfied that it doesn’t interfere with his work at the council.”

Mr Halsall confirmed he had the role but declined to comment further.