Mayor Refuses to Stop Senior Staff Pay Rises During Budget Crisis North Tyneside Conservative Mayor Chris Morgan faced criticism after last weeks Full Council meeting when he refused to rule out large increases to senior staff as part of the council reorganisation.

Proposals have been brought forward that mean the existing Heads of Function would benefit from salary rises from £5,000 to £10,000 pa This is despite the current financial problems the council is facing.

Labour councillor Ian Grayson asked Mayor Morgan if he would rule out such increases in the present financial climate with a simple yes or no answer. The Mayor avoided giving an assurance against such rises to the dismay of a public gallery filled with council workers who faced the sack due to savings the council has to find to balance the accounts.

Councillor Ian Grayson said “ I am amazed that the Mayor has refused to rule out pay increases to the Heads of functions in this restructure while so many of the staff are facing the prospect of losing their jobs. Once again we are seeing poor leadership by the inexperienced Mayor”.

Councillor Grayson added “ I will ask the Mayor at the next Council Meeting if he will now rule out these pay increases which if implemented would have such a negative effect on the whole work force”.