Chief exec salary debate

New chief executive's £185k salary 'a very reasonable rate', leader of the council says

Tom Cramp - Local Democracy Reporter | Wednesday 5th July 2023 9:19pm

The newly appointed chief executive of Solihull Council's potential salary of £185,000 is at a 'very reasonable rate', the leader of the council has said. Cllr Ian Courts defended the wage at a meeting last night where Paul Johnson, formerly the acting chief executive, was ratified on a permanent basis.

Solihull Council had been advertising the salary scale for the role to all candidates at £170,000 to £180,000, and £185,000 including bonuses. This is up from £163,524 and £167,536 with bonuses.

Questions have been asked whether the incumbent acting chief executive should have received the salary bump if he was to remain in post but on a permanent basis. Others have queried whether it was an appropriate move considering the wave of industrial action that has swept through the nation.

Cllr Daniel Gibbin (Independent, Olton) led the debate, saying: “In a few weeks’ time, we will have doctor consultants out on strike, while the trains are more on strike than they are running. For the first time in decades, we have seen the nurses come out on strike.

“When looking at the differentials between the bottom and the top of the scale, this takes us into the same pay scale as Birmingham City Council's chief executive, the largest local authority in Europe.

“I am very concerned that this has been done after the decision has been made. We have had time to look at this but it has been brought to us in the eleventh hour.

“This is a very substantial salary when looking at Reddtich, which is something like £35,000 less. I don't think it will sit well with other officers and colleagues across the council.”

Mr Johnson was Solihull Council's director of resources and deputy chief executive during his predecessor Nick Page's time in the top job. Mr Page resigned from his post in January 2023 in the wake of the crisis in children's services, leaving Mr Johnson as the acting boss.

Council papers claim the leader of the council had consulted with the leader of the Green Party, Cllr Max McLoughlin, when landing on an appropriate salary to put to full council last night. It was decided that the new wage was necessary to attract suitably qualified and experienced candidates.

Also at the meeting was Cllr Richard Long (Lib Dems, Elmdon), who asked: “Given the person we are proposed to appoint, is the change in salary still being considered given that person is an incumbent and is essentially moving up a grade?”

Leader of the council Cllr Ian Courts (Cons, Dorridge & Hockley Heath) came to the defence of the policy, saying: “We have gone out to the market having carefully considered salary rates for large authorities. It can go up to £250,000.

“For smaller authorities, it can be less – Redditch is a district. Having advertised a certain salary to a range of applicants, for us to then say 'You're the inside chap, we'll give you less', would be grossly unfair.

“I would say that for the going rate in the West Midlands, this is a very reasonable rate. There are jobs available for rather a lot more – I think we are just recognising reality.”

Former borough mayor Cllr Ken Meeson (Cons, Dorridge & Hockley Heath) added: “Across the West Midlands, there are a number of vacancies for chief officers and chief executives and very few applicants.

“It's becoming extremely difficult to find people with the right qualifications and the right experience as chief executives. I'm quite happy with what's before us and I fully support it.”

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