A row has erupted at Oxford City Council over plans by its leader, John Goddard, to employ a personal assistant on a salary of £24,000.

It is the first time a Town Hall leader has proposed employing a PA.

Opposition councillors claim the move shows "delusions of grandeur", while the ruling Liberal Democrat group says secretarial support is necessary for an authority with a multi-million-pound budget.

The advertisement for the job says candidates need "skills of organisation, communication, good humour, customer focus, self-motivation and an ability to prioritise work under pressure."

The PA will also provide secretarial support for the council's six other Lib Dem executive committee members, but not the Labour or Green members of the decision-making committee.

Labour councillor Ed Turner has called for the post to be reconsidered, until it is established whether it is the best use of taxpayers' money.

He said: "Other political groups weren't consulted about this post.

"Although there may be good reason for councillors to have more support, for example in dealing with the large amounts of casework we often receive, the idea an extra resource should be hogged by the Liberal Democrats is unacceptable. Since taking over, John Goddard has insisted on a new office, he's getting a more than doubled pay package and now he's getting a lot more secretarial support.

"I can't help thinking that delusions of grandeur have taken over.

"Certainly, with all these extra facilities, we hope he'll do the important things properly - like press on with Labour's plans to boost recycling."

The Oxford Mail has been told the Town Hall has received 14 applications for the job, with interviews for the 37-hours-per-week post - at a salary of £23,175 to £24,708 - starting next week.

Mr Goddard said: "I know of no other leader of any other council that doesn't have some sort of secretarial support - and I make no apologies.

"It's recognised that councils need a bit of help to manage a multi-million pound business."

Green group leader Craig Simmons said: "It's ridiculous. What they do at the county council is to have group assistance, as is common in lots of authorities, where administrative support is spread between groups.

"This is an ongoing cost and we have never had a discussion about this."

A spokesman for the council said: "The post was only advertised locally. The funding for the job and advert is being allocated through the legal and democratic budget."