Exclusive: Huge wages of Croydon Council's best paid staff revealed
EXCLUSIVE
By Jo Charlton
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BIG WAGE: Jon Rouse is the council's top earner
joanne.charlton@essnmedia.co.uk
The eight most highly paid staff at Croydon Council all earned over £100,000 in the last financial year.
Figures obtained by the Advertiser - under the Freedom Of Information Act - reveal chief executive Jon Rouse was the council's top earner, raking in over £195,000.
Chalking up the second biggest wage - an enviable £150,167.76 - is Nathan Elvery, the executive director of resources and customer services.
Third on the list is Hannah Miller, executive director of adult services and housing.
Her wage of £147,959.76 saw her pull in an 11.48 per cent pay rise compared to the year before.
But not everybody on the list of council staff earning over £100,000 had received a pay rise.
Pamela Parkes, director of human resources and organisational development, saw her wage drop by 19.68 per cent.
She probably wasn't too worried, though, as she still took home a healthy £102,015.
Leader of the council's Labour opposition Tony Newman is not against the salaries if they are deserved.
However, he believes a "string of problems" over the last year, from failing schools to dirty streets, effect the justification of such high wages.
He said: "Most working people in Croydon will find these salaries extraordinary.
"The average salary in Croydon is about £25,000. I think the responsibility lies with (council leader) Mike Fisher.
"If these people are being paid these salaries, then Councillor Fisher has the responsibility to make sure services are improved.
"He's deciding to pay these salaries and residing over a council which people are very unhappy with."
Cllr Fisher explained that Hannah Miller's sharp pay rise was a result of a reshuffle which expanded the department she resides over.
He also defended the decision to hand out pay rises during the recession.
"Some will say that is not justified in the current climate but we have a national body responsible for setting pay," Cllr Fisher said.
"It is outside the control of the local authority."
He also believes that in order to attract the right people to such influential jobs, these salaries need to be offered.
Speaking about Mr Rouse's salary, he said: "An organisation the size of Croydon needs somebody of very high calibre and Jon Rouse is of that calibre.
"We could find people to do the job for a lot less money but could they do it?"
Cllr Fisher also defended the fact that occupational health physician Lucy Goundry earns a salary of £113,194.
Her role involves carrying out assessments to find out if people are fit to return to work and aids their return.
Cllr Fisher said: "One of our greatest successes is we have been successful cutting days lost due to sickness and now have one of the lowest rates in London.
"Part of that is having a good occupational health physician."
*Do you think the wages are warranted? Let us know by leaving a comment below, writing to Letters, Jessop House, 100 Tamworth Road, Croydon, CR0 1XX or e-mailing newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk
CROYDON COUNCIL'S TOP EARNERS
1: Jon Rouse - Chief Executive - £195,300
2: Nathan Elvery - Executive director of resources and customer services - £150,167.76
3: Hannah Miller - Executive director of adult services and housing - £147,959.76
4: Lucy Goundry - Occupational health physician - £113,194.44
5: Julie Belvir - Director of democratic and legal services - £110,107.56
6: Anthony Middleton - Director of regeneration and infrastructure - £104,985
7: Barbara PeacockAssistant director - £102,993.48
8: Pamela Parkes - Director of human resources and organisational development - £102,015
9 Comments
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by Randy, USA
Thursday, August 13 2009, 2:21PM
“Health care and the professionals in those roles are precious people. They choose to serve the public. The salary that they receive is compensation for the years of learning and experience they have. I know I would not want just some unemployed ¿capable¿ person in need of a job making evaluations and decisions about my health and readiness to return to work. Dr. Goundry is a professional physician who serves the community.
Living in a country where people are stereotypically lazy and who take advantage of government benefits, I have come to realize that health is a personal responsibility. It is not my government who should take care of me because I pay taxes. It is my responsibility to seek out medical care so I can live a healthy and productive life.
To sit back and complain about the success of others, laws and abandon my civic pride is quite shameful. Focus on getting yourself healthy and managing your pain so you can be a productive British Citizen. Like Dr. Goundry.”
by Randy, USA
Thursday, August 13 2009, 2:21PM
“Health care and the professionals in those roles are precious people. They choose to serve the public. The salary that they receive is compensation for the years of learning and experience they have. I know I would not want just some unemployed ¿capable¿ person in need of a job making evaluations and decisions about my health and readiness to return to work. Dr. Goundry is a professional physician who serves the community.
Living in a country where people are stereotypically lazy and who take advantage of government benefits, I have come to realize that health is a personal responsibility. It is not my government who should take care of me because I pay taxes. It is my responsibility to seek out medical care so I can live a healthy and productive life.
To sit back and complain about the success of others, laws and abandon my civic pride is quite shameful. Focus on getting yourself healthy and managing your pain so you can be a productive British Citizen. Like Dr. Goundry.”
by Gary, Forestdale
Friday, August 07 2009, 8:59PM
“I seem to remember that 18 months ago the word was " we need to pay the going rate to attract the best staff". This applied to the "BANKERS" and did'nt they do well? A rhyme comes to mind!!!”
by Bryan, Croydon
Friday, August 07 2009, 6:58PM
“As the council puts out so many services to competitive tender why not do the same with these positions.I'm sure that there are a lot of capable unemployed people who would do them for half the amounts being paid.
And as for Human Resources ,with so much being done by outside contractors, this should surely be a part time role.”
by Spongeblip, Unfortunately Croydon
Friday, August 07 2009, 1:59PM
“Many thanks £££.
Much appreciated.”