Cheshire East Council is to pay its new stand-in boss a whopping £1,200 a day, writes Belinda Ryan.
David Parr’s appointment as the authority’s interim chief executive is expected to be rubber-stamped at full council on Wednesday (October 18).
He will take up his new post when current chief executive Lorraine O’Donnell leaves later this month.
A report to next week’s meeting says: “David Parr OBE has extensive experience in local government, having been chief executive in three authorities, including former Macclesfield Borough Council.
“David’s partnership approach has delivered many significant achievements and opportunities for the communities he has served, most notably the delivery of the £1.5 billion Mersey Gateway Bridge project and brings valuable experience of all areas of local government.”
In 2019, Mr Parr was awarded an OBE for services to local government in Halton and Cheshire and, prior to this, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration by the University of Chester for services to Cheshire and local government.
The council says he will be contracted at a daily rate of £1,200 plus VAT.
Agency fees mean the cost to Cheshire East will actually be £1,380 a day plus VAT.
He will be working the equivalent of three days a week.
The council report says: “The cost would be in the region of £91,000 if the appointment ran from mid-October 2023 to March 31, 2024.
“This means that the cost can be met from the existing budget for the post of chief executive.”
Council leader Sam Corcoran (Lab) said: “I’m delighted that someone with David’s experience has been identified as Cheshire East Council’s interim chief executive.
“The chief executive role plays a critical part in us navigating our way through the challenges that local government is facing and enables us to deliver against the priorities that we have for the borough.
“I would like to thank Dr Lorraine O’Donnell, as our departing chief executive, for her work and wish her well in her new role.
“Lorraine’s contribution to developing the organisation we are today has been significant and invaluable.
“This has been a time of change for Cheshire East Council and Lorraine has been a driving force, supporting and delivering our vision for the borough.
“The work continues to find a new permanent chief executive, and David’s leadership in the interim, will help us in the next stage of our journey, seizing new opportunities and meeting the challenges that we have ahead of us.”
Deputy council leader Craig Browne (Ind) said: “I’m pleased to support the recommendation of David’s appointment, to full council.
“He is an experienced leader with a track record on making a difference across Cheshire and Halton.
“His local knowledge will be a great asset while he supports us as the interim chief executive.”
Cheshire East is currently recruiting for a permanent chief executive who will be on a salary of between £170,000 and £190,000.
(Pic from Halton Borough Council)
Is he single?
Arthur Moran. Don’t just meet with Ian, publish via this media the answers so all local people are aware. Be open to us all as if you are an Independent member you are in coalition with Labour.
Hello Ian
Both Sam Roberts and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you, to discuss your concerns
Arthur
I am dismayed that the Chief Executive of a Local Authority should earn more than the Prime Minister. in addition they receive final salary pension benefits which add at least 20% to their salary costs.
There are now business risks, they do not have to report to shareholder or satisfy the City.
Local authorities are not held accountable for incompetence. Senior Executives and others are not held to account, for incompetence.
I would ask you to seek information under the Freedom of Information Act.
For example what is the total amount outstanding in unpaid council tax. How much is the total of overpaid Housing Benefit and Council Tax.
Seek details of their management structures, job descriptions, and determine how many Nappy Co-ordinator jobs they have. In other words nothing jobs.
Nantwich Town Council some years ago appointed a Deputy Town Clerk, a Town Ranger. They purchased a Cherry Picker .
Look how they spent money on a fountain in Nantwich Lake.
Local Authorities fail to operate within budget, a principle of any manager in the private sector.
I believe they are now paying for illegal immigrants to have English lessons, ask who is funding this cost.
I am trying to examine their full accounts and analyse there income and expenditure.
I would ask you to exercise your democratic right under the Freedom of Information Act and ensure that as residents of Crewe and Nantwich that we hold both our elected representatives and the officers to account.
What a disgrace absolutely ridiculous how can the council warrant this when people are struggling to pay their council tax bills there are people out there going above and beyond in their jobs for very little reward what is happening to this country disgraceful
Why should Mr Parr be ashamed to take this salary Cynical Syd? This is the going rate for an executive at this level whether you know it or not. Would you rather we had a 22 year old new Business graduate for £250 a day? We’re not in 1970s Russia where everyone supposedly earns the same amount.
If he sorts out the shambles of a council then he’s worth the money surely? I think everyone commenting has absolutely no idea how much people earn. Nurses – who everyone thinks are underpaid – can earn £600+ a day for interim work. Give him a chance to sort out the mess and then judge his worth.
Blimey !! They’re going to have to put up the car parking charges in Nantwich again to cover this.
What a disgrace.
People are on the breadline struggling to get by, and our Council thinks it’s OK to pay a salary of £1,200 A DAY?? Appalling, and Mr Parr should be ashamed to take such a salary.
How can we as Cheshire East Council tax payers push for a vote of no confidence in Cheshire East.?
Words fail me,and this from a council with a twelve million short fall