Salford Council to scrap chief executive role

SALFORD City Council will not replace chief executive Barbara Spicer and will instead appoint a council manager on a much-reduced salary, Mayor Ian Stewart has said.

The move will help save the council around £1m. Mrs Spicer formally leaves her £175,000 a year post at the end of the month.

In a statement council said it is being forced by the Government to make £75m worth of cuts in the next three years.

Mayor Stewart took advice from management consultancy Penna, which undertook a review of the council’s senior management structure, and has decided to appoint an interim council manager for up to six months, followed by a permanent position.

During this time the council’s management structure will be redesigned in detail and in consultation with the Cabinet and three strategic directors.

Mayor Stewart said: “With cuts of an unprecedented scale looming, it is important that the city council’s top priority is providing quality services to the people of Salford.

“Getting rid of the chief executive post and appointing a council manager will save Salford’s taxpayers more than £1m. That money will be ploughed into protecting our front-line services.

“I know it’s tough at the moment. But we are making quick progress in implementing change so that we can continue to serve the people of Salford in the future.”