Councillors to spend £86,000 on advice

THE council is planning to spend £86,000 on teaching councillors to do their job.

It has asked the Deputy Prime Minister for the cash to fund the scheme but is prepared to pay for it from the council's budget if refused.

An interim deputy chief executive is to be employed for six months, at a cost of £36,000, to shadow chief executive Simon White and tell him when he puts a foot wrong.

There will also be new part-time "peer" members for each party who will advise councillors on leadership skills and the council's code of conduct.

An assignment manager and regional director will also be hired on a part time basis, costing another £26,000.

In a wordy report, the council claims to need the guidance of mentors in order to improve, after being judged a "poor" authority.

A report was presented to the cabinet last week. It stated: "The role of the leader of the council is more outwardly focused, concentrating on the key strategic issues for the authority whilst empowering and maximising the potential of other cabinet members."

It also recommended the council invest in "an extensive and intensive development programme for all cabinet members" and that proposed changes be "implemented in a co-ordinated and coherent manner".

The report said personal performance appraisals would be given to the chief executive Simon White and chief officers, to "provide transparency and clarity" and "build confidence".

The extravagant scheme will outrage taxpayers who were told last week to expect a possible hike of 23 per cent to cover shortfalls in the budget after a disappointing grant from the Government.

The council will ask the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for the programme funds but said in the event of being turned down that it would take money out of its own budget.

The report admitted that this would cause further problems for the struggling authority.

"This would add to the inevitable pressure on that budget following a very difficult financial settlement from this authority's point of view, as the only 'poor' authority also suffering a 'floor' grant settlement," said the report.

Nonetheless, councillors agreed the plan.

Cllr Barry Smith defended it this week, saying: "We get a shadow of our own position right through from the chief executive to ordinary members. They will help and advise. It's a necessary part of the improvement plan."

11:33 Thursday 30th January 2003

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