Controversial new figures reveal the salary of Shropshire Council’s chief executive rose by 12.5 per cent from his predecessor – despite 1,300 council jobs being at risk over the next five years.
The figures revealed to the Chronicle show that when Shropshire Council’s new chief executive, Kim Ryley, took up his post in October last year his starting salary of £180,000 was an increase of between £15,000 to £20,000 compared to the previous salary in the same post.
The move, which came to light after a Freedom of Information request, was agreed despite the former chief executive of the now defunct Shropshire County Council, Carolyn Downs, receiving between £160,000 and £165,000.
Shropshire Council has defended its position by stating the financial comparison wasn’t relative and that the increase was in line with the added responsibilities of a unitary local government.
It was decided by elected councillors in October last year, in a move designed to recruit and retain staff of the highest calibre at the new council.
Mr Ryley’s salary is said to be consistent with posts at other councils of a similar type and size. Council policy states the senior position should not receive in excess of 20 times more than that of the lowest paid staff.
The 12.5 per cent pay increase was ratified for the top council position last October, before Shropshire Council subsequently announced at the start of March that up to 1,300 posts could be scrapped over the next five years.
Leader of Shropshire Council, Keith Barrow, said: “You get what you pay for and I have no problem paying him that salary if he delivers, which I am confident he will do.
“We had a business meeting on Monday and the feedback was that he was a good guy and that we had done well to get him to Shropshire.”
Simon Alton, spokesperson for Shropshire Council, said: “The new unitary council covers the whole of the county and is a much bigger council that the former district structure. Clearly this added responsibility is going to demand a higher salary than the former post.”
By David Seadon