Councillors to vote on top officer salaries

LOCALLY ELECTED COUNCILLORS should all have to vote on decisions about whether they want to pay staff salaries over £100,000, according to Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles.

Ministers today signalled their intention to issue new guidance on a salary ceiling at which remuneration decisions should be always brought before a full council vote.

The Government's Localism Bill includes provisions to require councils to put forward statements on pay – including bonuses and annual increases - to elected council members who must approve and publish this information.

"The changes we are introducing will mean that local government jobs will now have to be 'democracy proofed' before mega salaries are paid out. I think the democratically elected members of any council should make sure they have their say on pay and that £100,000 is the place to start that." Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles.

It has previously taken Freedom of Information requests from journalists, the Tax Payers Alliance or members of the public before the East Riding has released information on top salaries or on the pay of its Chief Executive. See Town Hall Rich List and Top Council Pay.

This new Government initiative will ensure decisions on senior pay are taken by all the democratically elected councillors in the council at an open meeting and will improve transparency and local democratic accountability in how senior pay is set within local government.