Wallasey Town Hall 300

PLANS to give some of Wirral Council’s most senior officers pay rises of up to £7,000 as the authority seeks to cut jobs have come under fire from the opposition Labour Group.

Last week, the council sent letters out to almost 6,000 employees outlining the £108m budget deficit faced by the authority and asking if they were interested in redundancy or early retirement.

This week the council’s ruling cabinet members approved plans which would see some senior officers paid up to £7,000 extra for taking on additional responsibilities.

Labour said the “interim management arrangements” give more money to senior staff at a time when other staff Šare being threatened with the possibility of compulsory redundancies if enough of them do not volunteer to leave or retire early.

Cllr Lesley Rennie, deputy leader of the Conservative Group, said: “The changes we are making will see fewer senior staff and, as an interim step, will save £15,000.

“The council under Steve Foulkes (Labour leader) was top-heavy on senior staff. The new administration believes the council needs clearer direction to provide better services. We are starting with changes at the top and the decision we took at cabinet this week is only the beginning.”