Protesters to gather in Wolverhampton over £32,000 pay hike for chief executive

Rachel Alexander

6 November 2024 at 7:17 am·2-min read

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)

A protest is set to take place outside Wolverhampton’s Civic Centre later today over a proposed pay hike for the city council’s executives. From 5pm, the TaxPayers’ Alliance will be joined by opposition council members to voice their opposition to the move, which includes a £32,000 raise for chief executive Tim Johnson.

The rally comes as a report from a recruitment specialist claims that Wolverhampton’s executive pay lags behind other Black Country councils.

Tim Johnson’s current salary of between £167,000 and £178,000 is reportedly well below chief executive salaries in other local authorities and public sector counterparts, such as NHS boards, education trusts, and neighbouring councils like bankrupt Birmingham, where top earners receive between £207,000 and £312,500.

Recruitment specialist Penna stated that without a competitive salary, the council risks losing talent in critical roles. Any increase in the chief executive’s pay would be funded by the removal of the role of deputy director of transport which would save the council £103,000.

Wolverhampton City Council has recently faced scrutiny over budget decisions as the city struggles with a £7m shortfall. A council tax hike of 4.99 percent and increased parking fees from £4.50 to £9 are just two of the budget decisions which residents face.

The proposed executive pay increase is part of a broader “Our Future” reform agenda aimed at streamlining senior roles within the council which includes the loss of a number of senior executive jobs.

A spokesperson for the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “We will be visiting Wolverhampton to protest against proposals to dramatically increase the pay packets of council executives. We will be joined by opposition councillors demanding that the needs of residents be put before an increase to pay packets for council bosses.”

A full council meeting is scheduled for 5.45pm tonight to discuss the potential salary adjustments.

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