A CAMPAIGN group has criticised Essex County Council for proposing to pay £27,500 to a European and international officer.
Essex County Council says in a job advertisement the successful candidate will report to a European programmes manager and help "develop the county council's engagement with Europe".
The advertisement adds: "You will also be responsible for driving forward the county council's relationships with international partners, making sure these relationships reflect the priorities of the county council and add value. This role will involve some international travel."
A spokesman for the Taxpayers' Alliance said: "This is ridiculous.
"People want the council to focus on mending the roads and providing services in Essex, not paying for officials to gallivant about Europe.
"With council tax running at record levels and services struggling, the county council has plenty of problems to solve at home before it looks abroad.
"Taxpayers need a local service, not an EU ambassador."
An Essex County Council spokeswoman said: "This is an important role for the council as identifying and maximising opportunities in the European business market is of vital importance to the economy of our county."
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