Labour leader pledges to become Liverpool's first full-time political chief

Apr 3 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S Labour leader Joe Anderson last night pledged to give up his day job and become the city’s first full-time leader if his party takes control of the council next month.

Cllr Anderson, who currently works as a social worker, last night said Liverpool needed full- time political leadership to propel it to the next level.

But council leader Liberal Democrat Warren Bradley, who splits his time between the local authority and his work as a firefighter, said he did not advocate full-time leadership as it would be easy to “lose touch” with ordinary people.

Lobby group Downtown Liverpool In Business said that, when they surveyed more than 1,000 members on whether the city needed full- time political management a year ago, over 80% said yes.

Cllr Anderson’s proposal forms part of a number of ideas set out in his vision for transforming Liverpool into a business- friendly city.

He wants to shake up the leadership of the council, create a 25-year vision for the city, and encourage the development of Liverpool’s north shore area. Having a full-time leader of the city is a key pillar of his vision.

Cllr Anderson said: “This is an organisation with a budget of £1.2bn. It needs effective, quality and full-time political leadership without other distractions. A major city like Liverpool needs a full-time leader.

“I desperately and passionately believe Liverpool needs a full- time leader, it is long overdue. It’s the council leader’s job to make sure that not only is regeneration delivered but also social responsibility.

“What I want to be very clear about is that having a full-time leader would be cost neutral.”

Cllr Bradley receives a special responsibility allowance of £20,600, plus the basic allowance of £9,900.

The full-time leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese, receives an allowance of £38,400 on top of his basic allowance of £14,600.

While Birmingham’s leader Mike Whitby, a self-made businessman, receives £53,400 plus the basic councillor rate of £15,500.

Cllr Anderson said the position should attract a similar level of remuneration to other “core cities” in the UK.

If Labour took power, he would introduce a review of the allowances paid to councillors to find the extra cash at no additional cost to the public purse.

It is likely that, to become a full- time leader, he would be taking a real-terms pay cut.

On top of his social worker salary, he currently receives £11,000 as leader of the opposition, on top of his £9,900 basic councillor allowance.

The 50-year-old, who has formerly worked in the Merchant Navy and as a publican, is married and has four children.

Liam Fogarty, chairman of amayorforliverpool.org, said: “The city needs a full-time leader that will work full-time and flat out. Joe Anderson’s pledge addresses one problem. But it does not address the problem of legitimacy. The leader should have a mandate from every-one not just town hall colleagues.”

He said he had “no problem” with the leader’s allowance being increased.

While Cllr Anderson’s plan may seem to be a step closer to an elected mayor, he is adamant the executive board system currently in operation is much better.

“We need strong leadership but we also need to be able to delegate and have confidence in a capable team.”

He said he was not arguing against the possibility of a regional mayor in future, though.

“Some of my ideas are to bring in business expertise into the council’s executive board and business exper-tise into the planning department.”

He said he hoped his ideas for the planning department would be cost neutral, adding: “The planning department needs to be strengthened.

“There will, in my view, be a need to strengthen at a managerial level expertise in order to develop our city to take it to the next level. The only way we can radically overhaul and change this council and improve its performance is by bringing in fresh faces and fresh ideas, people with ambitions that meet mine.”

Cllr Bradley said: “Cllr Anderson can decide to do what he believes to be right. Local politics is about local people, and when you are in a position as leader of any council it is easy to lose touch.

“I work in the heart of one of the most deprived communities in Liverpool, and see first-hand the impact of decisions that the council and other partners take. This is important, and has been whole-heartedly supported by both the Fire Service and residents in the city.

“I have been incredibly lucky to have had the support I have. Some people believe local politics should be a career; I personally don't, and would never advocate full-time leadership.”

Former council leader Mike Storey said: “I fundamentally disagree with Joe Anderson, power can corrupt because you would be in the local government goldfish bowl all the time.”

He said his day job of school headteacher helped keep his feet on the ground.

Frank McKenna, chairman of Downtown Liverpool In Business, said: “We should be congratulating Joe Anderson.

“Liverpool needs a full-time political leader. It is daft that in 2008 we are having this discussion – it is a no-brainer.”

OPINION: PAGE 10

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