Lib Dems challenge Labour decision to commit to spending more than £1/4M on Public Health Consultants

At a meeting of the Staffing Matters & Urgency committee (26 June 2023), Chaired by Labour Leader of the Council Cllr Claire Douglas, the new administration committed to paying more than £1/4M in salaries for a new Public Health Director and Assistant Director, ignoring Lib Dem pleas to review the requirements and explore the option of reducing senior manager costs and investing more in frontline services.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Leader of the Lib Dem Group said “It is extraordinary that less than two months into their administration Labour have chosen to allocate this vast sum to paying two salaries rather than spending the money on direct action to improve the health of York residents. Cllr Douglas stated at the meeting that the best way to tackle health inequalities was to pay six figure salaries to two senior staff. Local Authority budgets are under huge pressure and every area of spend should be thoroughly scrutinised to make sure the most money possible is available to directly support residents. Nodding this through without properly considering value for money will inevitably mean vital services have to be cut and health inequality will worsen. Taking time to get this structure right would allow better exploration of alternative options. There is precedent for the role of Public Health Director being shared across councils or even shared with the NHS. With the new Integrated Care Board and the impending Combined Authority opportunities like this to get the most for the public purse are vital. It is disappointing that Labour have refused to even consider this significant cost saving option.”