Liverpool Town Hall 300
MORE than 70 managers have joined the exodus from Liverpool council and now 700 more employees have been offered redundancy, under a huge cash saving programme.
All managers earning more than £40,000 were offered voluntary redundancy earlier in the summer. The cull has seen some of the most senior officials leave in a move that has already saved £4m.
Now 700 members of staff have been emailed with an invitation to apply for the scheme that has offered a minimum of 12 weeks’ pay, irrespective of time served and a lump sum worth up to 40 weeks’ pay.
The council said the offer only affects workers in so-called “back office” areas such as committee services, administration, policy, and communications, in a bid to protect front line jobs.
It comes as the Daily Post can reveal that Cherie Booth, QC, wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, advised the council on the arrangements for appointing Liverpool Direct Limited joint venture boss David McElhinney as interim chief executive.
It is understood Mrs Booth, QC, who specialises in employment law and works from Matrix Chambers in London, was paid around £6,000 for her advice on how to avoid any conflicts of interest.
