Council sets £80,000 aside for temporary chief executive

by Lisa Reeves

Wednesday 25^th April 2012

Wed 25^th Apr 2012

Erika Wenzel, chief executive of Cheshire East Council (CEC), is currently on sick leave and the Council has set £80,000 aside should they need to employ a temporary replacement.

Her work is currently being covered by colleagues but if she is to be absence for a longer period then the Council may have to appoint an interim chief executive at a cost of up to £26,600 per month.

Erika Wenzel took up the position of chief executive in 2008 and according to the statement of accounts for 2010/11, on CEC's website, her salary was £189, 260, which included a £15,000 allowance for acting as the Returning Officer for elections. Her total package, including expenses and employer's pension contribution is listed as £226,318.

A Cheshire East Council spokesman said: "Cheshire East Council's chief executive, Erika Wenzel, is currently away from work due to ill health. We wish her well and look forward to her return to work.

"During this time, her key duties are being covered by the strategic directors. However, should it become clear, at any stage, that Erika will be away from work for a longer period, we will need to review this arrangement.

"In this event, should it be considered that Erika's absence would be best covered by a temporary appointment, Council has given its authority to appoint an interim chief executive.

"Careful consideration is being given to this and it is felt, for an authority of this size, that the absence of such a key role can only be sustained for a short period of time.

"The Council is aware that an appointment of this nature could cost up to £80,000 for a three-month period and given the critical nature of the role of chief executive, Council has endorsed this decision."

Tags:: Cheshire East Council

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Fenton Simpson

Thursday 26^th April 2012 at 7:41 pm

Where is the council's succession plan ? Surly there must be someone in waiting to take over or is that not allowed thinking at CEC ?

Stephen Maynard

Friday 27^th April 2012 at 9:06 am

How is it conceivable that this person can justify to the Council Tax Payers in the area that such a rediculously high salary is needed - the Prime Minister doesn't even earn anything like this. On the one hand the roads are full of pot holes and they say they have no money to repair them and then they are handing out salaries like this - its time the council got a grip on such wasteful expenditure such as this

David Clark

Friday 27^th April 2012 at 10:22 am

The Knutsford Guardian states "rumours have been mounting in recent months that she ( Erica Wentzel ) is set to leave the council after a ‘top-level’ management restructure."
One can read this as an internal power struggle within Cheshire East
As to putting aside £80000 for a 3 month temporary replacement this should just about give the person appointed time to read the files .

Vin Sumner

Saturday 28^th April 2012 at 12:51 am

these are crazy and unjustifiable amounts of money; so vote the people out who allow it or get out on the streets and complain .... if we do nothing we just get walked over .....

Elaine Napier

Saturday 28^th April 2012 at 5:51 pm

How much control do the elected members of the Council have over the behaviour of the employed members of Cheshire East Council? Studying the published remuneration packages of the employed senior staff, one rather feels that they do as they please. (http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/your_council/how_the_council_works/corporate_management_structure/staff_salaries.aspx )

Perhaps now that Wesley Fitzgerald is stepping down as the Council leader, there will be a more disciplined approach to Ms Wenzel and her overpaid entourage.

Adrian Scott

Tuesday 1^st May 2012 at 2:39 pm

Why do we need an outrageously highly paid person ?? Let';s get the "Sickie" out of the way and declare the post redundant. We don't need and don't want this expensive waste of money.

David Hadfield

Tuesday 1^st May 2012 at 3:07 pm

I totally agree with all the above statements.
It's our money. ...... We are the Ratepayers and for someone to be paid this massive amount, which is higher than the amount paid to David Cameron, the Prime Minister (who runs the country) is just outrageous ............
Get a grip Councillors and just remember who you work for............
We employ you, and you are answerable to us, the Ratepayers !!!

Marina McHugh

Monday 21^st May 2012 at 9:24 am

I agree with the statements above. How can somebody be paid such a high salary without results.The state of the borough, the services and the incompetence. I think all tax payers should call for a cap of £100,000 for any position advertised by councils. Eric Pickles should sort this problem, he has been confronted, and has even said he thinks is is appalling that some head of councils are paid more than the Prime Minister. He continues to say a lot but no action is forthcoming to moderate this expenditure.
The money could be used to employ a number of people who really need jobs to clean up the roads, pathways and litter.

Monday 21^st May 2012 at 1:08 pm

Isn't it truly amazing that the general public; who pay for these expensive animals' and who elect the councillors, are united in condemnation of this absurdity. There are significant numbers of very successful businessmen / women within the Cheshire East Area who would sort this mess out in five minutes and then get on with the day's work. Are our representatives so inept ? If so we should change them as soon as the opprtunity presents itself. I would gladly vounteer to carry out some of these duties free and gratis. Retired Senior Police Officer and Managing Director !!

Monday 21^st May 2012 at 4:57 pm

Here, here Adrian. I too would gladly volunteer to carry out some of the duties free of charge. Retired Teacher.

Tuesday 22^nd May 2012 at 10:22 am

You have a voice, you know, so speak to your local councillor. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that some elected councillors share your expressions of alarm at these ridiculous remuneration packages.

I recently sought advice regarding the information on senior staff salaries which is on the CEC website and was informed " the 2010/11 data is the correct data to use. The Accounts for 2011/12 closed at the end of April, the draft statement of the council’s accounts will be produced for inspection and audit by the end of June at which time the staff salary list for the most recent financial year will then be published." (sic)

Aside from the fact that data is a plural word and should, therefore, be followed by "are" not "is", you should be able to check the new remuneration levels quite soon.

Thursday 24^th May 2012 at 3:47 pm

I have sent the following request to Cheshire East Council under the Freedom of Information Act. If I get an answer, I'll share it with you and then we will all know who is making these outrageous decisions about remuneration levels.

"How is the remuneration structure of employed staff, with particular reference to senior staff as defined on the CEC website, arrived at in Cheshire East Council please? In particular, who makes the decisions about what is an appropriate remuneration package and to what external comparators do they refer in reaching their decisions?"

Hoping to receive a reply!