Councillors in the dark on senior executive pay

Councillor David Clayton

Who decides the salary levels of senior council posts? What is the process by which they are determined? Questions you would expect those elected to represent the people of the borough to know the answers to - but apparently not. A number of councillors have admitted they have no idea, though Councillor David Clayton, in asking the above questions at tonight’s (Wednesday 4 February) Council meeting, did make the point that he should know, and hence why he was asking the questions.

The Townships and Corporate Management portfolio holder, Councillor Keith Swift, defended the huge salaries on offer to senior management - the council is also advertising another post in the national press at £120,000 – claiming the salaries are “not outrageous” by comparing such salaries with those of head teachers in local schools. After the meeting some councillors privately accepted that this would not go down well with council employees who are about to have their pay cut following a pay and grading review - an observation that amplified Councillor Clayton’s concern when he warned in the chamber that the council needs to “tread carefully”, adding that it would be very bad for the council to be seen “promoting big rises for senior management positions”.