Heather Jameson 15 April 2020

Town hall rich list branded 'inane and distasteful'

Attempts to criticise local government salaries have been branded as ‘both inane and distasteful by chief executives’ body Solace.

As local authorities battle the coronavirus crisis, the Taxpayers Alliance (TPA) has published it’s annual ‘town hall rich list’, claiming council tax should be frozen for residents.

Solace managing director, Graeme McDonald, has hit back. He said: ‘The Taxpayers’ Alliance (TPA) latest attack on local public servants is both inane and distasteful.

‘In recent weeks many council staff have been working all waking hours responding to the Covid-19 outbreak, working within local communities and advising Whitehall on the impact of their measures on the ground. They require our support and backing.’

Mr McDonald also highlighted the TPA’s own data that showed the number of councils earning over £100,000 has fallen by a quarter since 2015.

‘Their analysis is as innumerate as it is crass,’ he said.

‘At any time Council chief executives and their colleagues are responsible for delivering a variety of highly complex services, including those which are of profound importance to the most vulnerable people in society.’

According to the report, at least 2,667 council employees were paid more than £100,000 in 2018-19, of which 32 were in excess of £250,000.

The report also claimed 25 council staff received pay-offs of more than £95,000, the cap for public sector employees.

Chief executive of the TPA, John O’Connell, said: ‘The coronavirus crisis means that frontline council services are more crucial than ever, but at the same time household budgets face an enormous squeeze from crushing council tax rises.

‘There are plenty of talented people in local authorities who are focused on delivering more for less, but that is needed across the board. The country needs every council to cut out waste and prioritise key services without resorting to punishing tax hikes on their residents.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£27934.00 - £35344.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£27,934 up to £35,344 Per Annum (includes allowance) equal to £14.48 to £18.32 Per HourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Early Years Keyworker

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
Want to make a difference for children with special educational needs in Greenwich? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Early Years Area SENCo

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£39,855 - £42,324
Have you got extensive experience in working within Early Years, with a clear understanding of child development Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Young Persons Substance Misuse Service Pathfinder

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Are you looking to change the lives of young people? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Regulatory Compliance Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
You will be an apprentice embedded within the Trading Standards team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner