Independent-run Pembrokeshire Council took a lead this week by announcing a cut in cabinet members. The local authority is to reduce its executive body from ten to eight members with a consequent saving of just under £30,000 a year.
The council leader explained the admirable move by stating,
"In the future, as the financial cuts bite, we will no doubt be expecting equal amounts of work - or more - to be done by less people. It is only right that the cabinet should practice what it preaches... by leading by example and reducing its numbers and costs.”
We have no expectation that Swansea, which has among the highest “political management” costs in Wales, will be following suit soon. The ruling Lib Dem crowd did the predictable pay-cut gesture on taking up office a few years back but are still in the top 10% by virtue of the size criterion that determines extra pay for responsibilities.
A source in Calamity Hall pointed out to us somewhat defensively that Pembrokeshire’s chief executive still earns more than the PM. Of course, the same can be said of Swansea’s top man – although he lacks the talents of the West Wales guy who seems able to persuade turkeys to vote for Christmas.
There is no indication whether Powys will have ten members in its new cabinet but the official spin as to how the move is prompted by changes introduced by the Assembly, rather than a deal struck with Lib Dems, does not bode well for anyone expecting savings.
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