Heywood and Middleton MP backs huge council executive pay rises

Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin, MP for Heywood and Middleton, has given his backing to the huge pay rises being handed to Rochdale Council Chief Executive Jim Taylor and other senior council executives.

Mr Dobbin initially said it isn't his role to "get involved".

Mr Dobbin is placed in a very difficult position as Councillor Colin Lambert is employed to work in his constituency office as well as carry out his role and responsibilities as the Leader of Rochdale Council.

However, Mr Dobbin went on to say: "If the Chief Executive is taking on other and substantial responsibilities, like heading up the police executive, then he deserves recognition."

An e-petition calling for council executive pay restraint has already been signed by over 1000 people since going live on the Council website on Friday evening.

• http://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=53&RPID=1097758&HPID=1097758

It is also understood that a protest is planned outside the Town Hall prior to the meeting (6.00pm on Wednesday 16 October at Rochdale Town Hall) were the increases look set to be rubber stamped.

Reacting to the wave of public anger that the huge pay rises have generated, Mr Dobbin said: "I think it is all getting out of hand now and I don’t think the whole story is being told. If he is taking on additional responsibilities then that should be recognised. Numbers are reduced so other people have to take on more responsibility.

Mr Dobbin then cited the salaries of professionals such as doctors and head teachers to justify the massive increases, he said: "If you look at every GP in my area, they earn twice what I earn and the same with every head teacher. I have 46 schools in my patch and they are all on a substantial amount compared to me and the chief executive.

"Things need to be put into perspective really.”