Following the publication of the 2023-24 draft statement of accounts from the Lib Dem/Labour run Powys County Council, James Evans MS is calling on the Lib Deb/Labour run Powys County Council to justify why the number of Council employees on over £70,000 has quadrupled.
The figures in Note 31 clearly show that the number of “Other staff” employees on £70,000 to £74,999 has risen from 4 in 2022/23 to up to 17 in 2023/24. This is part of an overall trend showing increases in the number of employees on salaries more than £60,000.
Overall, the total number of paid staff in excess of £60,000 per year in 2022/23 was 42, rising to 73 in 2023/24. This does not include many of the highest salaries in the Council such as Heads of Service, Directors and the Chief Executive.
James Evans MS said:
“These figures expose the truth of what is going on in Powys County Council. Since the Conservative/Independent led Coalition ended in 2022, there has been a huge increase in the numbers of staff on £60,000 and above. To jump from 42 positions up to 73 is staggering at a time when we are told there is no money and Council Tax is rising after the Lib Dems promised not to.
“It’s quite telling that the Lib Dem Council can somehow find the money to fund management yet can’t find it to fund our vital public services that so many people across Mid-Wales desperately rely on. Council Taxpayers are being squeezed for more and more money in return for less and less services.
“The Lib Dem Council are anticipating that Council Tax will rise in April by another 5%! The Lib Dem Council must explain these figures and justify to every resident in Powys that pays Council Tax just why all these management posts are needed.”
