The £750-a-day temporary human resources boss at Walsall Council is also getting an allowance to stay at a top hotel, it emerged today.

The local authority, which is battling to save £65 million and is shedding 427 jobs, has been employing Pauline Lucas for the past six months in the interim position.

It has already shelled out more than £70,000 in wages.

Council bosses today said her contract allows her to claim accommodation and travel expenses.

Disgruntled workers have told the Express & Star Ms Lucas is staying at a four-star hotel.

It is believed Ms Lucas works in the borough four days a week.

Councillor Chris Towe, cabinet member for finance and personnel said today: “As we have said previously, we have secured, through the services of an agency, a highly-skilled and experienced head of human resources and development who has a proven track record in local government and has so far provided invaluable expertise in introducing a number of procedures for the council in these changing times.

“The employee is able to claim relevant accommodation and travel expenses in accordance with her contract with the council.

“We do not comment on individual employee’s rates of pay or indeed the location of her residence.”

They added that to reveal the location of where Ms Lucas was staying was “irresponsible”.

The council had been without a permanent head of the department since September 2009, when Paul Smith left the post.

The council last week revealed its £65m programme of cuts. More than 1,300 letters about voluntary redundancy have gone out to staff this week.