Surrey Liberal Democrats criticise unnecessary £55,000 "strategy" job at County Hall

Liberal Democrat county councillors in Surrey have criticised the ruling Conservative administration for recruiting a £55,000 "Head of Strategy" post when at the same time planning staff redundancies and cutting services by millions of pounds.

The advert, which has been posted extensively online and in the national press, seeks to recruit a "highly politically astute" individual who will be a "skilful networker" and "support the leadership" of the County Council. The salary offered is between £55484 to £66644 for a working week of 36 hours, with a laptop and mobile supplied.

Cllr Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council, said today:

"I am very concerned that the County Council is recruiting for such a post in the middle of a financial crisis and when services are being cut and redundancies considered. Surrey residents will not understand the priorities of the ruling Conservative Group if this well remunerated appointment goes ahead at the same time as budgets for social care, libraries, tips and roads are being reduced.

"I have written to the Leader of the Council outlining my opposition to this post and asking him to explain the rationale behind the recruitment. The County Council already has a Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Senior Management Team - it is clear to me that this strategy post is unnecessary at the current time and simply cannot be justified. The Conservative administration at County Hall should delete this post and use the money saved towards protecting vital services for Surrey residents".

NOTES

- A link to the letter from Cllr Watson to the Leader of the Council can be found here:

https://surreylibdems.org.uk/en/document/email-from-hw-to-dh-31-8-17-re-head-of-strategy

- A link to the job advert can be found here:

https://jobs.theguardian.com/job/6574645/head-of-strategy-kingston-upon-thames-/