Our Councillors have once again demonstrated their commitment to getting the best value for money for local residents. In our latest news in our campaign to reduce costs, its been shown that our Council’s decision to shed five top jobs has saved taxpayers over £400,000 a year.
The savings were revealed by Executive Member, Resources Councillor Les Ford who also commented on pay freezes being enforced for senior staff.
“No officer of this authority has received a pay rise since 2008 unless they have changed jobs or been re-graded as a result of incurring additional responsibilities.”
Our Council axed the post of Director of Area and Community and the Head’s of Democratic Services, Organisational Development, Neighbourhood and Customer Services and Planning.
But whilst the allocation of these additional responsibilities to other members of staff cost £30,000 in re-structuring payments, the changes resulted in a £425,000 saving for theCouncil.
Said councillor Ford: “Publication of salary figures – correct or incorrect – give a completely one sided and unbalanced picture of the situation.
“It does not reflect the fact that robust financial management of the authority’s affairs has saved £82 million gross and enabled us to reinvest £34 million in front line services.”
Added Councillor Ford: “And taxpayers in the Borough have seen their bills rise by a minimal average of 0.75 per cent in the life of the current council.”
