We’re not quite sure what Conservative Party Chair Eric Pickles means when he suggests that many Local Authority Chief Executives could be abolished. In an interview with the Independent this morning Mr Pickles said “recent changes to the structure of local government meant many chief executives were no longer needed. Since 2000, many councils have switched to having a leader and elected cabinet members handling specific portfolios.”
Eric goes on to suggest that: I’m not one of these people who gets excited about high salaries but it should be in proportion to their responsibilities,” Mr Pickles said. “A lot of council Chief Executives do not have that level of responsibility.”
So is he suggesting that Council Leaders get paid more to do the Chief Executive job?