I was stunned to learn the leadership of Rochdale MBC was proposing to increase the chief executive's salary by over 30%, and so was the public. The leadership was attempting, and as I write still are, to push the rise through with little discussion. They would have been successful if it wasn't for the Government's insistence on such decisions going before a full council meeting - something we have no choice but to thank communities secretary, Eric Pickles, for. This gave time and space for us to raise concerns and alert local residents to what was happening. People were up in arms, as were all the local political parties, the press and frontline public sector workers. So far, we have managed to win a delay. On raising the issue of chief officer pay both in Parliament and in the media, it has quickly become apparent there are concerns nationwide. Eric Pickles said, with regard to my concerns: 'These clearly considerable sums of money, notwithstanding the increased responsibility, are entirely wrong.'
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