Anger over perks silence
A FENLAND councillor is fuming after council officers have refused to give details of their perks and bonuses.
Mark Archer, an independent and Fenland's only opposition councillor, asked for information about salaries, bonuses and perks paid to senior staff at the district council.
The Manea representative also wanted to know more about the contractual and financial arrangement the council has with its Finance Officer Mat Taylor, who emigrated to Australia at the end of last year, but who is now living in New Zealand.
Mr Archer said that unless information is forthcoming he will take the issue to the Government-run Information Commission.
He asked his questions both as an elected member and also under the Freedom of Information Act.
Mr Archer explained he started to ask questions when various high up members of the council, together with officers, expressed surprise about Mr Taylor being in New Zealand when he appeared via satellite link at a meeting in January.
He said: "I, as a back bench councillor, had heard he was in New Zealand having moved there from Australia, but various other councillors and officers claimed they didn't know. It made me wonder what was going on and I started to ask questions.
"It has been stated that it is costing 20,000 a year to have Mr Taylor's services, but I believe it is probably costing more, which is why I have asked about the contractual details."
But Rob Bridge, the council's new Corporate Director, has replied to Mr Archer, quoting the Data Protection Act as a reason for not answering questions about Mr Taylor.
In an email Mr Bridge states: "In relation to the contractual and financial information about Mat Taylor, unfortunately because of the council's Data Protection Act responsibilities I cannot give you the information you have requested. I believe that to do so would breach the second principle of the Data Protection Act."
Mr Archer requested details of salaries, annual bonuses and expenses paid to all members of the Corporate Management Team, including the Chief Executive Tim Pilsbury, for the past 12 months.
He wanted the information as an elected member and said he did not intend to make it public – although he believed the public had the right to know how their Council Tax is spent.
But the only information forthcoming in response to his question was a table showing the number of people paid 50,000 a year or more, which is published in the council's accounts. The table goes up in 10,000 steps. It states the amount shown does not include employer's pension contributions, but does include other employee benefits.
However, Mr Archer believes people have a right to know exactly what those benefits are and how much they cost the council.
He said: "I think it is wrong that the council is paying perks and bonuses while putting up the Council Tax by more than three per cent – especially in the current economic climate when people are losing their jobs, not having pay rises themselves and are struggling to pay their bills."
Mr Archer added: "I can't understand why, as an elected representative, I cannot have the information I am asking for. How can I query what is being paid and why, if I can't find out what exactly is being paid."
And he said that unless the council comes up with a proper response he will take the issue to the Information Commission to try to get the answers he wants.
"I can't believe that a council employee is refusing to give me, an elected representative, the information I have asked for. I cannot understand how that can be right," he concluded.
He pointed out that all councillors' expenses and claims are scrutinised and are open for the public to see. "It seems wrong that staff pay is not open to the same scrutiny," he said.
In response to questions posed by the Fenland Citizen a spokesman for Fenland Council came back with the following points, but declined to say a direct yes or no on whether it pays staff bonuses or perks:
* We have provided Cllr Archer with information in accordance with appropriate guidelines including the Data Protection Act. We have been asked to review the information given to him so far and are happy to do so. The council has a legal duty to maintain the privacy of some employee information, just like any employer.
* As with all local authorities, the council publishes annually its statement of accounts which spells out the council's expenditure, including remuneration bands of employees paid over 50,000 pa. The council's budget is reviewed annually and considered and adopted by members.
The budget is tailored to respond to the council's priorities, determined by members. This information is in the public domain. Expenditure is routinely monitored by the Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel.
The council's management of its finance and resources is also routinely scrutinised by the Audit Commission which has praised the council for its prudent financial management and use of resources. Indeed the council has recently been recognised as among the best local authorities in the country.
* The council was aware that Mat Taylor had chosen to relocate to New Zealand.
* Mat Taylor's employment conditions have not changed, other than his working hours. This was ratified at the council's staff committee on August 11 2008.
* In accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, all local authorities must have the statutory role of the 151 Officer in post. This role is to ensure that the council, members and officers, manages its financial affairs properly, and has the authority to report to the council or district auditor any concerns of improper conduct in this respect.
The post holder, who must be a qualified accountant to hold the position of 151 Officer, will have overall responsibility to the council's exchequer accountancy, audit services, risk management and IT services, and in ensuring probity in the council's financial affairs.
* Rob Bridge was appointed in October 2008, before Mat Taylor's departure. Rob Bridge commenced his duties early February 2009. Mat Taylor initially maintained continuity of service during the gap, as required in the Local Government Act, and thereafter continued in his role as Executive Director, albeit the equivalent of one day per week, supporting the Strategic and Corporate Management Teams and Cabinet members in the day to day business of the council.
There has been no additional cost to the council under this arrangement.
* Rob Bridge is the council's Chief Finance (151) Officer, ratified by members at the council meeting on November 6 2008, from his commencement date in February 2009.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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