During a debate on local government finance yesterday, Secretary of State Eric Pickles praised Rugby Borough Council for its decision not to replace its chief executive, and instead devolving responsibilities to deputies and the elected leader.
Addressing the Chamber in response to remarks made by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, Mark said:
“My right hon. Friend spoke about the need for councils to control executive salaries. Does he have some words of comfort for Rugby borough council, which has chosen to save £100,000 by not replacing its chief executive and devolving the responsibilities to deputies and the elected leader of the council?”
The Secretary of State replied:
“The decision taken by my hon. Friend's council is a very sensible one. I am delighted that chief executives have taken a cut in salary, and I am even more delighted that the salaries advertised for chief executives have gone down considerably”.
After the debate Mark added:
“Rugby Borough Council took a courageous step in choosing not to replace the chief executive of the council when he left. I am delighted that this move has been acknowledged by the Secretary of State on the floor of the House of Commons”.
Mark concluded:
“I hope that what has happened in Rugby will inspire other councils to see that executive salaries can be kept under control without affecting the delivery of frontline services”.