Huge pay gap at council (From Worcester News)

Huge pay gap at council

5:30pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News

MORE than £170,000 separates the chief executive from the lowest paid employee at Worcestershire County Council.

While Trish Haines is currently on a pay scale of £167,977 to £183,725 a year, the lowest salary ranges from £12,489 to £13,589.

Chiefs are more than happy with that disparity though, as they say it sits comfortably within national recommendations.

At the last meeting of the full council, leader Councillor Adrian Hardman pointed out that while Mrs Haines’ salary is about 14.8 times that of the lowest paid employee, he did not see it as a cause for concern.

With average pay about £19,000 for a county council employee, the multiple sits at 9.6.

Coun Hardman, Conservative, said: “Members are no doubt aware that in Lord Hutton’s fair pay review, he suggested the maximum multiplier would be 20.

"Therefore, this council is content with the way that its pay grades sit.”

Councillor Richard Udall, Labour, said: “There are still inequalities in public sector pay and these do need to be addressed if we’re going to achieve a more equal society which I hope we all do.

"But surely we do need to admit our failings first?”

In a written answer, Coun Hardman said Mrs Haines’ essential car allowance, worth £846 a year, will be scrapped from the beginning of April in line with the revision of terms and conditions for staff.

Mr Hardman also stated the chief executive has no contractual entitlement to a bonus or any performance-related payments.

Coun Hardman said the data can be seen on the county council’s website.