Cut your pay or go, Pickles tells councils chiefs.

Here in Oakham Rutland we are fortunate, we are home to possibly two of the smallest councils in the UK costing the tax payer the highest amount in the UK.

The Town Council pays a Clerk the top end of the official pay scale.

The County County Council pays a delightful Chief Executive a salary exceeding our Prime Ministers and our MP's pay.

Most of Rutland County Councils services are now contracted out to other councils, not leaving a great deal for the council or Chief Executive to do.

I was handed a newspaper clipping from a member of the public I believe it was cut from the Daily Mail!

The article has the same title as this post.

It made me think of the following, you would not pay a corner shop manager the same money as a superstore manager, so why are the tax payers of Rutland paying more than some much larger counties for much less.

It is rumoured Mrs Briggs the Chief Executive of Rutland County Council fears her days at RCC are coming to an end. Last year she sold her large house located not far from the council offices and has moved into rented accommodation. I was also told she has sold her mansion in Norfolk.

The Audit Commission reports Rutland County Council provides value for money?

It was interesting to read there is no mention to the councils failure to complete its accounts on time and the subsequent work that was required to rework last years accounts,

The council did not find any more millions hidden away only to be revealed at the last minute like last year.

The Daily Mail writer

Writes: TOWN halls should consider scrapping the role of chief executive, the Communities Secretary said yesterday, after it emerged some were still taking pay rises of up to 13%

Members of the public often question the role of our chief executive, one recently blamed her for weakening Oakham Town Council, I was told it was very strong before the Chief arrived in Rutland, I went on to discuss previous Chief Executives of Rutland Council despite some of their terrible reputations, they were fondly remembered as true Rutlanders, whatever that is these days?

Eric Pickles highlighted several council chiefs, who have enjoyed salary increases, and many more who earn more than the Prime Minister.

He said it was wrong for them to take home more money when their staff were being hit with pay freezes and frontline services were being cut,

In the past year staff at RCC have suffered savage cuts in numbers and bullying is often banded around. It's not clear how many staff, who have lost their jobs are using the Councils employment appeals service.. I know of one who feels they were forced out of their job.

Local community groups (charities) have been hit hard many losing grants and others having vital funds slashed by 50% or more.

Mr Pickles said councils should also look at saving money by getting rid of the role of chief executive altogether, ot by sharing one with a neighbouring council.

He added: chief execs: Have a rethink, do the right thing and show some leadership - take a pay cut.

We were told sometime ago RCC had cut the number of top bosses to three, a little search of the councils web site shows top heavy  management remains at RCC.

Leadership Team

Structure Chart

Helen Briggs
Chief Executive

Debbie Muddimer
Director (Resources)

Aman Mehra
Director (Places)

Carol Chambers
Director (People)

Deputy CEO

Sharon Dring
Head of Business
Support (Resources)

Deputy S151
Officer

Lisa Wakeford

Head of Business
Support (Places)

Janet Bilby
Head of Business
Support (People)

Dave Brown
Head of
Operations

Mark Naylor
Assistant Director
(People)

Steven Attwood
Assistant Director
(People)

Victoria Brambini
Head of Asset
Management

Tina Markham
Head of Service:
Vulnerable People

Donna Gallagher / Helen Bannister
Joint Heads of Service: People

Vicky Todd
Head of Service:
Inclusion

Jill Haigh
Head of Service:
Stronger Families

Sarah Bysouth
Head of Service:
Lifelong Learning

Geoff Pook
Head of Corporate
Governance
(Monitoring Officer)