THE leader of Worcestershire County Council has defended a £58,000 job to hand more elderly services to outside providers - rejecting claims it is "mad".

As the Worcester News reported two weeks ago, the Labour group says it wants to scrap a job advert for a 'lead commissioning manager for older people' amid fears the role will see more services privatised.

But Councillor Simon Geraghty insists the job is important, saying the position is not a new role.

The Conservative has also defended a colleague who compared Labour Councillor Richard Udall to fame-hungry popstar Katy Perry, calling it "light hearted and humorous banter".

Councillor Andy Roberts, a cabinet member at County Hall, had called him "Worcestershire's 'Katy Perry'" eager to grab headlines.

The job will see the postholder oversee the drive to get more bodies, including the private sector, involved to help save cash - a tactic known as commissioning.

The job advert says bosses want to find someone to "challenge current approaches" and help the council achieve "significant savings targets" in the years ahead.

Labour had called the job "truly shocking", saying if it grabbed power at next year's elections it will axe the role.

But Councillor Geraghty, speaking during a full council meeting, said: "Labour isn't interested in trying to achieve value for money for taxpayers, it seems.

"After all that is exactly what commissioning is all about."

He added that the job was not new and was created in 2013, but the current postholder leaves in November.

"For me, commissioning is about defining what needs to be done and looking at all the options for achieving value for money," he said.

"I don't think the majority of the members of the public disagree with that."

At the moment around 80 per cent of County Hall's adult social care work is done by independent providers, such as care homes but it wants to go further.

Councillor Geraghty added: "The cabinet member's reference to a celebrity is, I'm sure a bit of light-hearted and humorous banter.

"Both celebrities and Richard seem to crave media attention, I'd suggest, so that's exactly what he (Andy Roberts) refers to."

Councillor Udall has called the job "Tory ideology gone mad".

The council is still looking to slash more than £25 million a year from spending in real terms, although it is forecast to top £33 million in 2016/17.