Somerset Council Defends £32,000 Aide Role Amid Financial Crisis

Somerset Council’s ruling Liberal Democrats are facing scrutiny for advertising a part-time personal aide position with a salary of up to £32,000 per year, just months after the council eliminated over 500 jobs and declared a financial emergency. This move raises questions about priorities as the council grapples with a significant budget deficit.

The job listing for a “Leader’s Office Co-ordinator” was posted on LinkedIn by Councillor Bill Revans, leader of the Liberal Democrat-run council. The role entails 26 hours of work per week and includes responsibilities such as drafting speeches, managing casework, and overseeing the leader’s schedule and engagements.

In February 2023, Somerset Council announced the reduction of 555 posts as part of a restructuring effort aimed at addressing a financial shortfall of £101 million projected for the following year. A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat group defended the recruitment, explaining that the position was approved as part of the recent staff restructure and reflects the increased workload for the council leader following the consolidation of leadership roles.

“The role was advertised internally to Somerset Council staff before being published externally,” the spokesperson stated. They emphasized that previously there had been five council leaders in Somerset, and now there is only one, suggesting that the new position represents a financial saving despite the increased demands on the leader.

Opposition leader Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, from the Conservative Party, criticized the decision, arguing that Somerset Council is raising council tax and cutting services for residents while allocating funds for support staff to maintain its leadership. “This is not responsible. It’s wasteful and completely the wrong priority in the middle of a self-declared financial emergency,” Rodrigues stated.

In response to the criticism, the Liberal Democrats pointed out the extensive correspondence and responsibilities that Councillor Revans manages, both locally and nationally. The council leader is tasked with reviewing numerous documents and attending various meetings, including his roles as Chair of South West Councils, the Local Government Association, and the County Council Network.

The party also noted that like many council leaders across the country, the aide’s role is politically restricted, meaning the appointee will not engage in party political campaigning or activities. This clarification aims to differentiate the position from typical staff roles in parliamentary offices.

As Somerset Council navigates its financial crisis, the decision to hire a personal aide serves as a focal point for ongoing debates about governance, resource allocation, and the responsibilities of public officials. The council’s leadership insists that the move is necessary to effectively manage the increasing demands of the role, but this justification has sparked significant public and political discussion about fiscal responsibility and accountability in local government.