More Senior Council Executives in line for massive pay rises

Mark Widdup, RMBC Director of Economy & Environment, in line for a massive pay increase

Following the revelation this week that Rochdale Council Chief Executive Jim Taylor is in line for a whopping pay increase of £40,000, three more council directors are also in line for huge pay increases: Mark Widdup, Director of Economy & Environment, Pauline Kane, Director of Finance and Linda Fisher, Deputy Chief Executive.

The pay rises have been recommended as part of a review of senior management pay by external consultants, the Hay Group. The review has covered the pay of the very top echelon of Rochdale Council, the Chief Executive and the five most senior directors.

• Mr Widdup's current salary of £71,376 to increase to £101,062 (top of salary range up to £108, 987)
• Ms Kane's current salary of £76,786 to increase to £87,929 (top of salary range up to £97,404)
• Ms Fisher's current salary of £84,991 to increase to £91,087 (top of salary range up to £97,404).

Ms Fisher is also currently paid an additional fee of £7,580 as 'Returning Officer' (at elections), it is proposed this role and fee be transferred from Ms Fisher to Chief Executive Jim Taylor.

• Ms Fisher has asked for it to be noted that whilst her basic pay will increase by £6,096, the loss of the £7,580 returning officer fee will result in her total remuneration decreasing by £1,484. 

Sheila Downey, the Director of Adult Care, will see her pay stay much as it is now, £108,618 to increase to £108,987, and the new Director of Children’s Services, who will take up her position on 28 October, pay will remain as appointed at £120,051.

Council documents reveal that there is no budget provision for these huge increases and the costs would have to be met from the 'Budget Pressures Fund'.

Councillor Colin Lambert, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, is backing the proposals and as part of a lengthy statement issued to the media he said: "After years of uncertainty we have now got in place a team who will provide us with the stability we need to improve our services. They are the right team to steer us though the difficult times and upcoming challenges the borough faces.

"We are committed to ensuring that our staff stay here and continue their good work. We will be making our recommendations at full council on 16 October.

"It is important that we are able to attract similar talent in the future and we have to be able to offer market rate pay levels to do this."

Councillor Ashley Dearnley, Conservative leader and Councillor Andrew Kelly, Liberal Democrat leader have both criticised the proposals and it is anticipated Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors will oppose the pay rises.

Councillor Dearnley, though saying it is the best team he has seen in his 30 years on the council, said: "If this is implemented, it will do nothing to bridge the growing pay gap between the public and private sector. Pay for council staff has been held down to a 1% increase and we need to think about what is fair and acceptable bearing in mind that the Prime Minister’s salary is only just over £140,000.”

Councillor Kelly said: "This will be a very bitter pill for rank and file council staff to swallow. They are suffering a below-inflation pay rise and there have also been widespread redundancies."

However, with a large Labour majority it will be the votes of Labour councillors that will decide if the pay increases are to be implemented.

It is understood that a number of Labour councillors are privately furious at the proposals, however, it is unlikely many, if any, will vote against the proposals as to do so would be to defy the party 'whip'.

One Labour councillor, who asked not to be named, said rather than vote against, which could result in those doing so being 'disciplined' by the party, some Labour councillors may decide not to attend the meeting.

Residents of the borough have reacted with a great deal of anger to the proposals.

Clive Jones has submitted an e-petition via the council website petition facility calling on councillors to reject the proposal:

'We the undersigned petition the council to reject the proposed pay rise announced by the council leader on the grounds that it is not affordable, justifiable or supported by the electorate of Rochdale, and will further add to deprivation and poverty already endemic in the borough.'

Mr Jones' e-petition will require 3,000 local backers to force a debate at a full council meeting.

Kenneth Hall has called for a public protest outside the Town Hall prior to the council meeting on Wednesday 16 October. Mr Hall said: "There should be a demonstration from the public outside the Town Hall at the meeting next week to show our feelings and disgust about the pay rise. If Councillor Lambert cannot see how people feel about this by just looking at the comments on Rochdale Online then he needs to consider his position as a councillor representing the people of Rochdale."

The decision will be made by councillors at a meeting at Rochdale Town Hall on Wednesday 16 October.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/82951/massive-payrise-announced-for-council-chief