Top Sheffield Council salaries ‘kick in the teeth’ to city's deprived, claims citizen
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Russell Johnson, who regularly questions the council at public meetings, asked leading councillors to justify this during a recent cabinet meeting.
He said: “At this time of continuing and worsening financial stringency and in light of SCC’s large reduction in turnover, particularly over the past decade, would the leader please attempt to justify three points.
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Hide Ad“A) the cost of over £200,000 for an interim chief executive last year B) the appointment of a new chief executive carrying a salary of £190,000, thereabouts and C) the salaries of the most highly paid seven officers amounts to over £1 million, as I say in a diminished council.
“Why was the obvious opportunity of Mr Mothersole’s retirement not taken to share a chief executive with a neighbouring authority, something I know has been muted a number of times in the past but it was difficult before.
“Does the leader or cabinet member concerned agree this continued profligacy and disregard for obtaining value for taxpayer’s money might be seen as a kick in the teeth by deprived people who want services delivered by the council? And that this wastefulness leads to further cynicism about politicians’ decisions.”
In reply, Coun Bob Johnson, leader of the council, said: “Once John Mothersole had confirmed his intention to retire and we knew there would be a gap between his departure and the new chief executive taking up position, it was decided an interim would be appointed.
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Hide Ad“The recruitment to this position was carried out in an open and transparent way and led by an officer employment committee and elected members. The ability to commence recruitment for a permanent chief executive was delayed due to the first national lockdown and the council’s response to Covid.
“The need for an interim chief executive throughout that period remained so the total cost of interim arrangements exceeded those set out in the outlined arrangements.
“The actual pay for senior officers is set out in our pay policy and salary payments to officers and most senior officers and are reported annually in line with transparency and other reporting requirements.”