Number of highly paid officer positions at Northumberland County Council slashed

Northumberland County Council has been criticised in recent years for the number of highly paid interims in senior positions receiving a six-figure salary.

Figures recently released by think-tank and lobby group the Taxpayer’s Alliance revealed that 23 employees were on remuneration of more than £100,000 in the 2021/22 year – the second year in a row the council had the most employees receiving that figure in the North East.

However, a new senior management structure – agreed at Tuesday’s meeting of the authority’s staff and appointments committee – will see that figure drop to just 15

It comes after council leader Glen Sanderson pledged to cut £1 million from the council’s wage bill last year.

The changes will see the senior management structure, consisting officers at the third and fourth tier of the council’s officer teams, brought in line with the new executive director structure brought in earlier this year.

Speaking at the meeting, deputy leader Coun Richard Wearmouth said: “I’m really grateful to everyone who has engaged with this process. No structure is perfect for everybody but I think this is as close as we will be able to get to.

“Driving value for money goes to the core of what we’re trying to do, it’s important to the taxpayer. This structure does save a significant amount of money and limits the amount of people receiving £100,000, which is important to the taxpayer.”

Coun Wearmouth added that the remaining 15 officers filled “very important roles”.

Coun Sanderson said he was “confident” the council would achieve its goal of making £1 million in savings from the wage bill. The proposed new structure will save the council a maximum of £421,000, according to a report presented to members.

The plans were unanimously agreed by the committee. Following this, chief executive Dr Helen Paterson said she would deliver a presentation to affected staff after the meeting.

Figures from the Taxpayer’s Alliance also revealed former CEO Daljit Lally claimed £40,000 in expenses in 2020/21 – more than any other council officer in the country over the same period.