Senior Boss Bonuses at Borough Hall- The Reality! Cllr Headley
Below is the letter sent to the Times and Citizen newspaper in response to an article published in the newspaper:
Dear Sir
There were no bumper pay rises in 2010/11 for Borough Hall staff (T&C, May 3rd). In fact last year we saved £1.2 million in a restructure that cut the number of the most senior staff. A series of staff advantages have been scrapped, such as car user allowances and car leasing schemes, subsidised meals and free parking - with the top earners now paying considerably more to park at work.
The pay figures used crudely by the Taxpayers Alliance last week weren't comparing like with like. They were distorted by delayed back pay, unavoidable pension contributions or pay for the previous year being for just part of the year. However, the high level of pay for senior staff highlights the importance of our actions to reverse the culture of rising executive salaries and bonuses which we inherited.
Recently the Conservatives attacked our introduction of a policy to ban senior staff bonuses because they said none had been paid. Whilst it is true that none have been paid under the common sense approach of the current administration, this has not always been the case. As recently as 2008 when the Conservatives were last in charge, they established a half a million pound bonus pot for top bosses at County Hall.
We are working hard to control costs and cut waste to deliver better value for tax payers and protect services. In keeping with our commitment to transparency and openness we will continue to publish the new senior pay policy online detailing all payments to Chief Officers, in order that it is clear for all residents to see.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Michael Headley
Finance Portfolio Holder, Bedford Borough Council