Ben Howlett, the MP for Bath, has expressed concern over the potential costs to local residents of an elected mayor, after figures released today show that B&NES Council already employs 19 people who earn over £100,000.
After viewing the figures, Ben commented: “I am concerned that the introduction of an elected mayor into Bath & North East Somerset will see the cost of politics in the area sky rocket.
“I am very concerned that a newly elected mayor will employ even more staff on these high salaries. Since the election of elected mayors around the country, the number of advisors on salaries over £100,000 rose instead of reducing.
“For example in Bristol, between 2008 and 2010 there were 15 employees earning over £100,000 which rose to 25 after the appointment of an elected mayor.
“Prior to the election, the new Conservative administration pledged to reduce the cost of back office functions, arguing they would use savings to protect key services.
“The figures published show the need for them to act on this with priority. The previous administration oversaw this increase in wages and economic realities now mean that it is simply not sustainable.
“With the Chancellor announcing that the Department for Communities and Local Government are to make savings of 30% on average over the next 5 years, attention needs to be focused on how such savings can be made in B&NES.
“During the election, councillors campaigned on the premise that they would look to reduce their numbers and I, along with fellow MPs, are already working on reducing the number of MPs down to 600 as we cut the costs of politics.
“It seems that the amount of top council executives could be reduced in a similar way too, downsizing politics to a more reasonable level.
“We certainly don’t need to be creating more elected officials with the power to appoint similarly high paid staff.
“I hope the new Conservative administration will act on their commitment at the election to reduce the cost of back office functions and ensure vital funding is protected for key frontline services for vulnerable people.”
