Put chief on half salary

Published: 24 September, 2010

• NOW that we seem to have established that Islington only needs half a chief executive we can see how much the role is worth to us.

John Foster’s replacement should be recruited at half his current salary and all other officials paid above the national average should be asked to reapply for their jobs at salaries that are reduced pro-rata.

If Islington Council is on such good terms with Camden it should be able to persuade Camden to follow suit.

Together Islington and Camden could set a national benchmark.  Under the “Best Value” regime by which local authorities are to “Challenge, compare, consult and use fair competition” other authorities ought then to follow Islington’s lead, renegotiating the salaries of their higher-paid employees so as to avoid losing stars when next inspected by the Audit Commission.
Chris Graham
Tollington Park, N4