It is reported that figures, uncovered through the Freedom of Information Act by the Taxpayers Alliance, show that councils are squandering millions of pounds of taxpayers' money on bloated salaries for town hall staff.
More than 800 nationally spread local officials now enjoy salaries worth more than £100,000 a year representing a 27 per cent increase over the previous year.
The number of local authority managers being paid more than £50,000 a year has increase
d nine-fold in the last decade compared with a three-fold increase in the economy as a whole.
There is a need to reduce salary costs and arrest spending at all levels which also inflates the pension pot for local government staff who enjoy gold plated index linked final salary pensions paid for by the taxpayer.
With the current high living costs, including council tax eating into the household budgets, there are prospects of some financial relief for Rutland's council taxpayers if appropriate cost cutting action is taken at Catmose leading to a reduced level of tax payable. Council tax has doubled in the last decade.
The council's level of income can hardly support the cost of its workforce and there is a clear need to reduce the wages bill which the council leader has confirmed forms a large part of the council's
budget.
This would best be achieved by a planned reduction in staff numbers, with all available options being considered.
An organisation and methods review of all county council operations should be undertaken by appropriately qualified personnel. This is essential for any retrench-ment in council activities.
Such a review will identify a need for improved business methods and systems, expose unnecessary non-productive work, waste and excess staffing, with all round cost cutting opportunities.
Surplus monies generated through this initiative should be used in reduction of the current council tax burden for hard pressed council taxpayers.
Rutland County Council currently occupies the unenviable position of levying one of the highest council tax charges in the country and finishing joint bottom on the national performance table.
High operational costs plus a lack of income and corporate govern-ance have contributed to this unsatisfactory situation.
Councillors are expected to totally support this venture to ensure a satisfactory outcome.
J LYON
Main Street,
Greetham
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