Staffordshire police and crime commissioner's £25k deputy is part-time
POLICE and crime commissioner Matthew Ellis has defended his decision to employ a £25,000 deputy for three days work a week.
Mr Ellis is to appoint fellow Lichfield Tory Sue Arnold as his deputy after winning November's election to take charge of budget and priorities at Staffordshire Police.
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Matthew Ellis pictured with his deputy Sue Arnold.
The decision was debated yesterday at a meeting of the Staffordshire police and crime panel, which is responsible for scrutinising his decision-making.
Mrs Arnold, who is also a district councillor in Lichfield, where Mr Ellis serves as a county councillor, claims she will use her business experience to save the force a 'minimum' of £250,000.
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The panel grilled Mrs Arnold at the meeting but did not endorse or oppose her appointment. It will write to Mr Ellis in the coming week to record its observations, although the decision rests with the elected commissioner.
Mrs Arnold, who works in publishing and is a former director of British Chambers of Commerce, said: "My role involves supporting Matthew, and given the economic challenges my business experience will help him in terms of getting value for money for the taxpayers of Staffordshire."
Asked if her part-time support for Mr Ellis justifies the £25,000 salary, Mrs Arnold said: "I think it's excellent value for taxpayers in Staffordshire.
"I'm confident I will return on their investment a minimum of tenfold and the good people of Staffordshire will judge whether we've done the job we set out to do.
"This isn't about appointing a friend. Matthew believes he is appointing the right person and he will stand and fall on whether he has made the right decisions."
Mr Ellis last week announced plans to end forced retirements under 'A19' rules and recruit 30 officers – the first intake since February 2010.
He said: "I made the decision only a couple of weeks ago. I have decided it is good value for money as it will help get the job done more effectively and probably get the job done faster."
Labour city councillor Joy Garner, who represents the city council on the panel and stood against Mr Ellis in the election, said: "They are both from the same village. Mr Ellis did say that this was not a case of wanting to appoint a friend, but she did come across at times as a female version of himself."
Comments
by Robnoxious
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 5:51PM
“Or Mr Dave Conway, I take it he is not a mate of yours Mick. I keep on thinking he is a Labour Councillor. Seems to have a lot to say about nothing,and wants to close things down. Never comes up with anything constructive. Keeps on backing the wrong horse, even Shergar went missing.Just like these councillors seem to. He would have been better naming Red Rum in a previous post on here, it would have been more suited, JUMP. HOW HIGH ? But most of all BLINKERED. With that we are losing MILLIONS OF POUNDS. We don't mind if the wife has to leave the building, we keep on fighting for what is right, St Michael's, Community Centres,anything but the move to Hanley. Are you ready, Mick and Dave, under starters orders, i'm not talking about Pervez now, I've pressed the button, THEIR OFF. 2 mares have refused at the first, both are lame. The vet say's they could be put down and van der SHOT.”
by Tunstall2011
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 5:05PM
“You got me on that one Mick Salih. I really shouldn't take any notice of a bitter old has been like you.
But I will continue to highlight your record when you were running the council.”
by mole10
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 4:43PM
“Typical quote from Joy.
Meeeeeeeooooowwwhttp://tinyurl.com/70p9
Joy would have been told to appoint Mark (there's only one Mark) under orders from Sandwell.”
by MickSalih
Wednesday, December 19 2012, 2:58PM
“Tunstall 2011 I can easly press your buttons anything about Cllr Garner you jump in with both feet
Mick”
by thomasthedog
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 9:38PM
“THERE YOU GO AGAIN MR ELLIS THROWING GOOD MONEY UP THE WALL,THAT WOULD HAVE PUT ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER ON THE BEAT”
by Robnoxious
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 8:47PM
“Yes, but if you had 5 kids and on benefits,you would be working 0 days a week, and getting the equivalent of £25k after all the stoppages. No paying into a pension scheme. because you will still be looked after by the state. Why does anyone want to work. What a joy that must be. Now i am getting jealous. You get what you pay for in life. You don't want a Rolls Royce and end up with piece of scrap. Lets hope everyone makes an effort to vote next time round, so we don't end up with what we have now. A labour run council. St Michael's or no St Michael's, care or no care. Lets see who really stands up to be counted.”
by warren-lloyd
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 7:56PM
“Christ, even I work 4 days a week, don't get 25 grand a year.”
by Redpitlad
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 6:31PM
“We all in it together...Ha ha
The last time us working classes had a three day week!!! was when the miner went on strike and the lights went out.”
by Robnoxious
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 6:23PM
“Roll up, roll up, don't forget to vote. Batman or Robin, I've been doing it with the council for years. Lets not beat around the bush, i could never have beaten him. A good lord a better than a bad loser. Mr Ellis will grow into the job. Lost once, lost twice, get ready for the third time. Jealousy is such a negative emotion, and there for all to see. The more we hear, the more we have a chance. We might have had another pantomime on our hands had the vote gone the other way, the ugly sisters in charge. When it comes that they have to stand up to be counted, they either abstain or send apologies, no Conway Ballz . Now you see me, Now you don't, Now we vote, Now i won't. This looks like a straight flush, we will now pull the chain. There's never smoke, without fire. Better to have, a little of a lot, than alot of, NOTHING. DUMBER AND DUMBER.”
by Tunstall2011
Tuesday, December 18 2012, 5:42PM
“You've got some brass neck Mick Salih, the thousands upon thousands you and your crony Kent Baddeley claimed when you were councillors. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!”