By David Scott
11 March 2010
Council chiefs in Scotland have agreed to forgo a pay rise due this year.
The chief executives of the country’s 32 councils were in line for a 2.5% increase but they have decided not to take it in view of the ‘unprecedented’ financial pressures facing local government.
The pay freeze, announced by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on March 8, was attacked by local government union Unison, which is pressing for a pay increase for its 100,000 council staff in Scotland.
Douglas Black, Unison regional organiser, said: ‘Cosy deals with their most senior employees would seem to be more important than delivering for the low-paid workers who are at the sharp end of service delivery.’
Cosla human resources spokesman Michael Cook said chief executives had shown genuine leadership ‘which we trust will set an example to others’.
He added: ‘It mirrors the decision of council leaders to agree to their pay being frozen in the coming year.
‘It is significant that the political and executive leadership of councils have recognised the unprecedented challenges that lie ahead.’
Tom Aitchison, chair of the Association of Local Authority Chief Executives, said: ‘We recognise the financial situation is very challenging at present and accept that there should be no salary increase in 2010/11.
11 March 2010
Council chiefs in Scotland have agreed to forgo a pay rise due this year.
The chief executives of the country’s 32 councils were in line for a 2.5% increase but they have decided not to take it in view of the ‘unprecedented’ financial pressures facing local government.
The pay freeze, announced by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on March 8, was attacked by local government union Unison, which is pressing for a pay increase for its 100,000 council staff in Scotland.
Douglas Black, Unison regional organiser, said: ‘Cosy deals with their most senior employees would seem to be more important than delivering for the low-paid workers who are at the sharp end of service delivery.’
Cosla human resources spokesman Michael Cook said chief executives had shown genuine leadership ‘which we trust will set an example to others’.
He added: ‘It mirrors the decision of council leaders to agree to their pay being frozen in the coming year.
‘It is significant that the political and executive leadership of councils have recognised the unprecedented challenges that lie ahead.’
Tom Aitchison, chair of the Association of Local Authority Chief Executives, said: ‘We recognise the financial situation is very challenging at present and accept that there should be no salary increase in 2010/11.
