Parker among highest paid

OLDHAM Council’s Chief Executive Charlie Parker is among the country’s highest paid council bosses, according to a survey by the GMB union.

He is one of at least 129 chief executives paid more than £150,000 a year in England.

The GMB says his annual package is £213,000, making him the ninth highest paid council chief executive in the North-West.

The union, which represents refuse and cleaning staff, says council workers will be sickened to learn how much their bosses are paid.

The figures come from the latest accounts of 151 local councils studied by GMB.

Oldham’s show that Mr Parker was paid £184,000 salary including fees and allowances, an expenses allowance of £2,000, and a pension contribution of £27,000, totalling £213,000.

The council’s website shows part of his salary, over £12,000, is for Oldham Council’s lead role with the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, based in Oldham.

The GMB figures show neighbouring Tameside’s Steven Pleasant was paid £190,800, and Rochdale’s Roger Ellis £174,000.

Colin Hilton of Liverpool was highest paid local council chief executive in the region, earning £278,714 in 2009-10.

Next was Ged Fitzgerald from Lancashire County Council on £254,376, followed by Sir Howard Bernstein of Manchester City Council on £232,326.

Paul McCarty, GMB regional secretary, said: “Council workers will be sickened to learn how much their bosses are creaming off and the levels of their bosses’ pay.

“This is at a time when councils say they are hard up and are slashing jobs and services while telling staff to put up with a pay freeze. These same chief executives have had the gall to say their lowest paid workers will not get any pay rise this year.”