Nearly 100 more City Council 'fat-cats' under Labour

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 3rd Mar 2008

Labour's fat cats cost local taxpayers millions

Lib Dems in Sheffield have revealed that there has been an explosion of 'fat-cats' employed by the Council over the last five years. Since Labour have been in control of Sheffield City Council the number of Council Officers paid over £50,000 a year has increased by nearly 100. There were 35 Council Officers with a salary over £50,000 in 2002, excluding teachers. Under Labour this figure has rocketed up to a staggering 128 in 2007. That means an increase of 94 'fat-cats' employed by local taxpayers.

Lib Dems have condemned the increase as evidence that waste and bureaucracy has reached epidemic proportions at the Town Hall under Labour. Lib Dems have pledged to tackle the problem within their alternative budget proposal, which will be voted at next week's Budget Council meeting.

Since Labour have been in control of the Council they have overseen this massive increase in 'fat-cats'. Liberal Democrats believe millions can be saved so that the Council can deliver a below inflation Council Tax increase and more local services for local residents.

Lib Dems are calling on the controlling Labour politicians to explain this huge increase. They believe local people want to see less of their money spent on managers whilst more invested in front line services.

Cllr Andrew Sangar, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Finance and Performance, said: -

"The fact that Labour have employed nearly 100 extra 'fat-cats' using local taxpayers money will come as a shock. It seems that this Labour Council's number one priority is to employ more managers in the Town Hall using local taxpayers hard earned money."

"Given that local Labour councillors have also increased the average Council Tax bill by well over £300 over the last five years, local people have every right to be outraged."

"This shocking fact is a clear indication that the level of waste and bureaucracy in the Town Hall has reached epidemic proportions. Due to this money that's wasted, local people are missing out on services such as extra recycling and extra action against anti-social behaviour."

"Tackling this issue will be one of our key priorities at the Council budget meeting. We are confident that by identifying the millions that are wasted under Labour, we can deliver a lower Council Tax and improved front line services for people across the City."