The other day I was reading a report with information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act on those public servants who earn more than £100,000 a year. There are more than 800 in the country. The breakdown showed that 14 earn more than the Prime Minister (who earns £188K), and 132 earn more than a cabinet minister (who earn £137K).

As expected, and I'm glad to say, there are none in Eastbourne Borough Council.

However, I had expected to see just one name on East Sussex County Council, that of the Chief Exec, who I knew earned that sort of money. But imagine my amazement when I discovered that in 06/07 five senior county council officers earned over £100K!

Yes five!

Here's the breakdown of earnings from 2006/07, according to the recent 'Tax Payers Alliance' report, with their current positions according to the ESCC website;

Cheryl Miller (Chief Exec) - £152,235 pa
Sean Nolan (Deputy Chief Exec and Director of Corporate Resources) - £129,399 pa
Matt Dunkley (Director of Children's Services) - £120,990 pa
Bob Wilkins (now left ESCC, former Director of Transport) - £103,026 pa
Andrew Ogden (Director of Law and Personnel) - £103,026 pa

This compares to just one officer in West Sussex County Council earning over £100K. Also, elsewhere in East Sussex, the Chief Exec of Lewes District Council earned £102,991 in that year and Wealden's Chief Exec earned £111,662

Is this value for money? What do you think? This is all public information and is taken from the Tax Payers Alliance 'Town Hall Rich List 2008' report. Makes interesting reading, doesn't it!


HERO of the week – Archbishop John Sentamu, for saying about the economic crisis: "One of the ironies about this financial crisis is that it makes action on poverty look utterly achievable. It would cost $5bn (£2.7bn) to save six million children's lives. World leaders could find 140 times that amount for the banking system in a week. How can they tell us that action for the poorest is too expensive?" Well said Archbishop.

VILLAIN of the week – Nick Clegg (Lib Dem leader, who guessed the value of the state pension as about £30, when it's actually about £90. And he wants to be Prime Minister! What an embarrassment.


PARKING – Talking about the county council, the parking meters go live in a few weeks. I have a blog brewing on this. However, given that I lost my seat on the borough council mainly as a result of the county council parking scheme, I don't feel I have the position to comment at the moment. I'll probably go for it in a few weeks. It'll be uncomfortable reading for some, and there's plenty to say…

But that's all for this week. Next week; my review of the Conservative Party Conference – bet you can't wait!!

Have a good week friends.