Council criticised for creation of two new managerial roles at a cost of more than a quarter of a million pounds

A ROW has erupted over Westminster Council’s plan to appoint a new temporary adult social care boss at �120,000 more than the previous permanent employee.

The council is looking to employ a new strategic director for adult social care at a cost of �1,000 per day for up to 12 months – an annual salary of about �260,000 – despite the previous strategic director, who was employed on a permanent basis, earning less than �140,000.

The appointment comes at the same time as the creation of a new �138,000 housing management role despite the council already employing a director of housing on �120,000.

Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of Westminster Labour group said: “It really is an insult to all those 3,000 vulnerable adults with moderate needs who have had their care withdrawn to now bring in an interim director of adult care services at a cost of �260,000 a year.

“Residents and councillors were told that savings would be made by cutting back on the council’s bloated bureacracy by sharing with neighbouring councils, but this is obviously not what is actually happening.”

But Westminster Council leader, Cllr Colin Barrow, said: “We are looking to recruit a new strategic director to be in charge of regeneration, housing and worklessness.

“We are also looking to appoint an interim strategic director of adult services. This is a statutory role and the successful candidate will help drive forward our adult social care policies to ensure that we continue to provide high standards of care for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”