The Labour councillors at Rugby Borough Council are demanding more transparency from the Tories on how the decision was made to merge the roles of Council Leader and Chief Executive.

Cllr Craig Humphrey, who will be taking on more responsibility and as a result be receiving a larger salary, has claimed that the decision is perfectly legal and has been given the blessing of new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles. He also claims that residents will not be interested in how such decisions are made.

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors voted to keep the decision out of public view at the last meeting.  The claims that this will result in a saving cannot be proven, because not only will Craig Humphrey see his allowances increased, but the two senior officers at the Council are also having their salaries reviewed as a result of having to take on new statutory responsibilities.

Ish Mistry, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group said,

“The question for the Con Lib alliance is simple: What have you got to hide? Residents will be left thinking that the Tories and Liberals don’t want the public to see their plans because they know they won’t work.”