Thousands of pounds of spending has been agreed by Barrow Borough Council in under a minute.

At the town hall on Tuesday night, councillors rubberstamped the recommendations at an extraordinary meeting of the full council.

It will now hire a new director of people and place and a new engagement officer. It will also dip into its reserves to provide a £20,000 grant to the Furness Economic Development Forum.

Last month, the job proposals sparked disagreement between opposition  Conservatives and ruling Labour councillors.

But on Tuesday night, they were waved through within 31 seconds with no questions or amendments tabled.

Mayor Kevin Hamilton brought the hammer down on the night’s business which in total lasted just a couple of minutes.

Councillor Martin McLeavy, a Conservative, questioned the job proposals last month.

Explaining the change of heart, he said a ‘further meeting’ had taken place which had helped clarify matters.

The Conservatives were satisfied their concerns had been heard, so now supported the plans, he said.

Public sector headhunting firm Solace in Business, based in West Yorkshire, has been drafted in to help recruit the new director of people and place on £79,675.

It has involved deleting an assistant director job – paid up to £55,000.

The salary and responsibilities of that role will be incorporated into the new directorship which has a broader brief.

The second new job at the council is for a policy and engagement officer costing up to £41,380.

Adverts show that the new people and place role offers a £1,239 essential car user and enrolment into the Local Government pension scheme.

The council is also offering a ‘generous’ relocation package if the successful candidate lives 30 miles outside of the borough boundary.

The council would also foot the bill for removal expenses and pay any legal, mortgage and estate agents’ fees up to £4,000.

A £750 disturbance allowance is also available, along with two days of paid resettlement leave for those relocating to the area.

For those not moving straight away, the council would provide a lodging allowance of up to £125 per week for nearly six months, equivalent to around £3,250.

The council would also pay the cost of one return journey ‘home’ every fortnight, either in second class rail fare or car mileage.

The council’s relocation policy states that evidence of expenditure ‘must be provided’.

The council has said the roles are necessary and it is committed to delivering the best services for residents and having the right people and skills.