Decisions made by an independent remuneration panel on senior council official pay should be binding.
That’s the call from the Welsh Conservatives – as a consultation into the panel’s guidelines continues, and a day after the Labour government announced a review of financial statements produced by Welsh councils.
Speaking in the Senedd, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, has reiterated her calls for the remuneration panel’s decisions to be entirely binding.
As it stands, local authorities will effectively have to pay regard to the panel’s recommendations – but nothing more.
Labour’s Local Government Minister has refused to consider a change.
Senior council officer pay has been the subject of recent controversy across Wales and Welsh Conservatives have previously called for a full review.
Aberconwy AM Mrs Finch-Saunders said:
“The pay panel’s decisions should be final and binding.
“There is no reason why local authorities should not be compelled to action its findings and abide by its independent conclusions.
“At a time when the effective use of public money should be at the very top of the agenda, Carwyn Jones and Welsh Labour continue to drag their heels.
“Recent scandals surrounding the remuneration of some of the highest earners in Welsh local authorities make clear the urgent need for action.
“If public trust is to be restored, a full review of senior pay is needed, and a commitment to give the remuneration panel the power taxpayers demand of it.”
ENDS
