Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood has called on Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant to take action to ensure council leaders’ treat their roles as full-time jobs in line with recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel.
The AM for South Wales Central made reference during a recent plenary session to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council leader Russell Roberts, who collects nearly £100,000 from the public purse with two extra jobs with the South Wales Police Authority and Cwm Taf Health Board.
The Independent Remuneration Panel, a body set up to undertake a fundamental and ongoing review of the type and level of allowances available to county and county borough councillors, has recently lodged a draft report with Mr Sargeant. The panel has previously indicated that a council leader’s role should be a full-time job.
In 2010-11, Tonyrefail East Councillor Russell Roberts picked up £58,962, including £1,177 in travel and subsistence, from his work as leader of the authority.
He also received £23,544 as chairman of South Wales Police Authority and £13,344 from Cwm Taf Health Authority. In total from his three appointments he was paid £95,860.
During the plenary session, Ms Wood said: “Minister, the independent remuneration panel for Wales has been unequivocal in saying that the role of a council leader is a full-time job.
“Will you therefore tell me what action you intend to take about council leaders who ignore this advice and take on extra salaried roles, like your party colleague and Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader, Russell Roberts, who picks up nearly £100,000 a year from the public purse in his roles as chair of the South Wales Police authority and a member of the Cwm Taf Local Health Board, on top of his day job?”
In response, Mr Sargeant said he awaits the response of the remuneration panel’s report.
