Labour throw more money down the drain on new £150,000 a year council 'fat-cat'

11.24.15am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 1st Sep 2006

Just a week after uncovering new £100,000 executive management training costs, Sheffields Liberal Democrats have discovered that the Labour Council have agreed to squander a further £150,000 of public money on employing another council 'fat-cat' with the title of Director of Innovation.

Furthermore, senior Labour politicians have agreed to the new post without the decision coming to any public body for scrutiny from the opposition or members of the public. Labour leaders have agreed to the £150,000 post via a 'Band A Delegation'. This only requires one member of the cabinet to sign the decision off.

Liberal Democrats are objecting to the move. They believe that there is no evidence to show that the new highly paid post is required and that the money could be better invested elsewhere. Lib Dems are also criticising the ruling Labour group for making the controversial decision behind closed doors in secret .

Councillor Andrew Sangar, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Finance, said: -

"This enormous expenditure is yet further evidence of the growing culture of bureaucracy within the Town Hall under Labour's control. I simply don't believe that there is a need for a 'Director of Innovation' who will be paid nearly as much as the Chief Executive and be funded by the taxpayer"

"Labour need to get a grip of this councils direction and start delivering on the people of Sheffields agenda. We are fed up with hearing excuses why we should be spending all this money on things which, in the end, will not truly benefit the people we serve"

"It seems that Labour politicians are being led by the nose by senior officers who, unlike local councilors, are not in touch with the publics wishes"

"But as well as disagreeing with this decision, we are disturbed by the way in which it has been approved by Labour bosses. On such a contentious issue it is not appropriate to make the decisions in secret and behind closed doors with little chance for scrutiny"

"Sheffield deserves a council that is open, honest and accountable. This is not the case under Labour"