Pendle Council cuts top chief executive's pay

From left: Philip Mousdale, Stephen Barnes and Brian Cookson

Senior bosses at a Lancashire council are to have their wages slashed to cut costs.

Pendle Council will reduce £120,000 from the combined wages of its chief executive Stephen Barnes and executive directors Philip Mousdale and Brian Cookson.

The council said the cuts would involve pay reductions and changes to flexible working conditions.

Councillors will vote on the proposals at a full council meeting next month.

'Unanimous support'

Council leader Mike Blomeley said: "Now is the right time to review the structure of the council and our costs.

"Our first discussions rightly focused on the top jobs in the organisation and I am pleased to announce £120,000 (27%) saving in those costs.

"These decisions were unanimous across the political parties.

"I am pleased Stephen Barnes will remain as chief executive to manage the council through these difficult times," he added.

The proposal on executive pay was the first decision taken by the council's restructuring committee which is having a series of meetings to decide how to reduce the council's wages bill.