Almost £2 Million Paid to Just 11 Officers in Councils First Year

Westmorland and Furness Council paid almost £2 million to just 11 senior officers in its first year, according to council finance documents.

The unitary authority, which replaced Cumbria County Council and the former district councils of Eden, South Lakeland and Barrow on the 1st April 2023, required the appointment of a number of senior officials, including the Chief Executive, Chief Legal Officer, and a statutory Section 151 Officer. 

Among the standout salary costs paid by the council is the former Interim Director of Children's Services, who, despite only being in post for the new council until the 9th of June 2023, received a salary of £56,660. This was accompanied by £8,539 in termination payments and a staggering £270,165 in employer pension contributions. 

The Chief Executive of the council cost the public purse £208,726 in the first year of the new council, comprising of a salary of £177,942 and employer pension contributions of £30,784. 

By comparison the UK prime minister is entitled to an annual salary of £172,153 made up of two salaries of £91,346 for being an MP and £80,807 for being PM.

In total, eight senior officers received annual salaries exceeding £110,000 during the council's first year. Additionally, three employees in council-maintained schools earned over £100,000.

Individuals names redacted

The financial documents also reveal that 393 staff members received remuneration exceeding £50,000. This figure includes gross pay, expense allowances, termination payments, and non-cash benefits, but excludes employer pension contributions. 

As a result of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Cumbria, the council paid out £1,346,484 in exit payments to twenty staff during its first year. 

The 65 Councillors elected to represent communities across the new council district also received a total of £1,079,000 in allowances and expenses between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024.

On the 27th February the council will meet in Kendal to set its budget for 2025/26 covering the councils staffing and service delivery costs and approve an increase in council tax for households across Westmorland and Furness.