Janet Finch-Saunders, Shadow Minister for Local Government, has hit out at eye-watering pay bands for chief executives at Wales’ 22 Councils, which sees half earn more than the Prime Minister.
Janet wrote to the Local Government Minister to request an immediate evaluation of pay scales for senior staff in Welsh councils.
It follows the recent scandal at Caerphilly County Borough Council, where 20 senior executives were given bumper salary increases, including an additional £35,000 for the chief executive.
Janet Finch-Saunders AM said, "It is utterly scandalous that some of the highest paid executives in Welsh Councils are getting massive pay rises, particularly at a time of public spending constraints.
"It is ridiculous that half the chief executives in Welsh councils get paid more than the Prime Minister.
"It is grossly unfair that town hall fat cats should continue to milk the system for massive pay hikes when frontline public services are under considerable pressure.
"Excessive pay awards were agreed for top executives in Caerphilly Council in a secret meeting without the knowledge of other councillors.
"These bumper pay hikes come at a time when many public sector workers have had their pay frozen for three years.
"The time has come for an open and honest review of senior pay in Welsh councils.
"Families across Wales are tightening their belts in these tough economic times and the highest paid on the taxpayers’ payroll should be playing their part in ensuring that local authorities live within their means."
Ends
Last month, Labour councillors in Caerphilly apologised for the secret deal which agreed substantial pay hikes for senior executives:
BBC Wales, 8th January 2013:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-20943068
A copy of the letter from Janet Finch-Saunders to the Local Government Minister is available on request.
The full Record of Proceedings for 8th January 2013 is available at:
http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-chamber-fourth-assembly-rop.htm
Janet Finch-Saunders:
First Minister, I have recently written a letter to the Minister for Local Government and Communities to ask whether he would consider seeking a review of senior executive pay across Wales. I refer to the recent debacle at Caerphilly County Borough Council, where an undemocratic process led to increases in senior management pay of around 30%. This is at a time when many front-line workers across Wales are in their third year of a pay freeze; this is at a time when hundreds of equal pay claims are unresolved; and this is at a time when efficiencies are being driven in every local authority. First Minister, will you support our calls for more transparent decision making? In Caerphilly, five councillors out of 73 made this decision. There was outrage, and I understand—[Assembly Members: ‘Ask a question.’] First Minister, will you support our calls for transparency, accountability and fairness in relation to local authority senior management pay?
The First Minister:
Of course there must be transparency and of course there must be fairness. These are ultimately matters for local authorities, but I think that all will bear in mind that, at a time when so many workers, particularly public sector workers, are having their pay frozen, it is very difficult to explain substantial increases for senior officers in any organisation.