£195k pay packet for top council job
STOKE-ON-TRENT City Council is spending up to £195,000 to lure a top-performing chief executive to run the authority.
Adverts for the city's top council job will be appearing in national newspapers and local government publications from tomorrow.
The advertisement comes six months after former council manager Steve Robinson resigned from the city council to take up a £180,000-a-year post as chief executive of the newly-formed Cheshire West And Chester authority.
Since he left in September, his job has been carried out by interim council manager, Chris Harman.
The advert for a permanent chief executive admits that the successful applicant will have to perform one of the toughest jobs in local government.
But members of the appointments committee are confident the higher salary will attract the calibre of leader that the city needs.
The pay on offer is higher than the £145,470 the chief executive of Derby City Council receives, and the £165,000 paid to Nottingham City Council's top officer.
Appointments committee chairman councillor Joy Garner said: "The proposed salary is a lot higher than the £150,000 basic salary the council was paying Steve Robinson.
"But with all the changes that are coming about in Stoke-on-Trent, this is one of the most challenging jobs in local government.
"The road ahead is going to be a bumpy one, so we want to attract the best man or woman for the job, and we have got to be prepared to pay a high salary to attract that level of quality."
She added: "The level of salary we are offering is not unique, although it is higher than most councils are paying."
But City Independent group deputy leader councillor Brian Ward said he did not feel the wage rise was justifiable.
He said: "I know that we have to pay the going rate to get someone good for the job, but I think it is very unlikely we will get an existing chief executive.
"If they are doing well where they are then they will want to stay there.
He added: "The chief executive will have less responsibility that the council manager, and will be able to delegate to some very capable officers."
The council is also advertising to fill its vacant post for the director of resources.
The previous post-holder, Julie Gill, left at Christmas to join Mr Robinson at his Chester authority.
8 Comments
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by Justin, Tunstall
Tuesday, February 03 2009, 2:18PM
“'this is one of the most challenging jobs in local government' Why?? This is a joke what on earth is that challenging? Oh I suppose the big challenge would be to justify the amount they get paid!!! Its funny how the council works 5 days a week from 9am to 4pm where most of the rest of us work twice the hour and for less than a tenth of the wage and then have to pay a huge sum in council tax to cover stupid salaries like this!!”
by Matthew, Alsager
Monday, February 02 2009, 8:42AM
“There are 3 ways to get on in life these days. Become an immigrant, be a criminal or work for the council. All 3 gegt preferential treatment! This council is a joke!”
by Craig, Stoke-on-Trent
Sunday, February 01 2009, 10:20PM
“Holy Moley! Imagine what a guy could get himself with that kinda scratch!”
by sid, Boothen
Sunday, February 01 2009, 6:37PM
“Years ago the City Council's workforce consisted of residents of our city. In recent years I have noticed the influx of employees from areas such as Shrewsbury, Derby, Nottingham and Wolverhampton. These employees are happy to earn their top salaries but dont spend it in the city from whom they have taken their money from. The City Council should look within to recruit a more local workforce instead of headhunting candidates from outside the city.”
by Sid, Boothen
Sunday, February 01 2009, 6:34PM
“Years ago the City Council's workforce were residents of Stoke on Trent. In recent years I have noticed that so many of the top jobs are given to non residents of the city - Shrewsbury, Derby, Wolverhampton etc. These "top" employees are paid by Stoke Council but do not spend their wealth in this City. I say Stoke on Trent City council should look within its own City for their workforce and not to headhunt people from out of our boundary.”