Independent Review Suggests Significant Salary Increase for Wolverhampton Council Chief Executive

An independent assessment has put forward a proposal for the City of Wolverhampton Council to grant its chief executive a salary increase exceeding £30,000. This adjustment would elevate Tim Johnson’s remuneration from £178,152 to £210,000. The assessment, carried out by the recruitment firm Penna, stated that the existing salary was “low” when compared with equivalent authorities. It further indicated that the present compensation represented an “immediate and significant risk” to the council, given Mr Johnson’s status as the region’s longest-serving council head and the organization’s dependence on his knowledge and expertise in areas such as economic growth, and health and care. The suggested modifications would be financed through the elimination of a different council position, specifically the director of transport. The BBC has reached out to the Wolverhampton Labour Group, which governs the authority, and the opposition Conservatives group to solicit their comments. In other parts of the Black Country, the salary range for Walsall Council’s chief executive falls between £177,802 and £200,487 annually. At Sandwell Council, the remuneration for this position ranges from £191,475 to £201,825, whereas in Dudley, it stands at £191,017. Birmingham City Council’s managing director receives a salary of £295,000, which is 13% higher than the compensation of the preceding chief. The Local Government Chronicle (LGC) reports that chief executive salaries have remained “almost static,” coinciding with the appointment of more first-time chiefs “amid increasingly challenging and complex times.” From July 21, 2023, to July 25, 2024, 44 councils appointed a new head of paid service. Among the 33 permanent appointments for which salary data was accessible, pay levels saw a 1% rise, with an average salary of £173,485, according to the LGC. In a published report, the City of Wolverhampton Council stated that the purpose of the review was to guarantee the presence of a senior management team that accurately represented “the size and responsibilities of the organisation” and maintained a “stable, efficient and strong leadership.” Various additional modifications were proposed, such as eliminating certain senior management positions and leaving others unfilled. These include: The review further indicated that the financial consequences outlined in the report would lead to a net saving of approximately £70,000. The suggested adjustments to the chief executive’s salary would be financed by savings generated from the elimination of the deputy director of transport position. For updates, follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.