And then there was 10! Further cabinet post announced

In addition to the increased number of cabinet posts announced last week by Rochdale Council, a further post was announced at the latest full council meeting, increasing the running total to ten.

The new post is Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Housing which covers planning and regulation including sustainable housing, environmental health and licensing services together with Strategic Housing Services.

The post is to be filled by Labour’s Terry Linden who took the Milkstone and Deeplish seat from Mohamed Sharif in the recent elections.

The increase in posts means that the cabinet will now cost an additional £40,000 to run, and this at a time when council staffs’ posts have been axed in spending cuts.

Opposition leaders have already spoken out against the increased costs. Yesterday, Liberal Democrat Leader Councillor Andy Kelly spoke out angrily against the increased number of posts which will now see cabinet operational costs rise by 70 percent against a budget cut of 30 per cent.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/69723/new-cabinet-more-posts-increased-cost

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/69747/opposition-party-leaders-speak-out-on-cabinet-size-increase