Ayrshire Post

Cashing in on counts

Council chief rakes in £ 8k

- Stuart Wilson

Top earning council boss Eileen Howat has coined in more than £ 8000 running elections, the Post can reveal.

The South Ayrshire chief executive has earned the side pot during a flurry of ballots in the last four years.

Ms Howat has acted as returning officer for a string of parliament­ary votes as well as referendum­s.

Union bosses have slammed the sum, which was paid on top of her £ 130,000- a- year salary.

GMB official, Paul Arkison, said: “The role of the Returning Officer is vitally important.

“If it’s not carried out correctly there can be consequenc­es, so it’s only right and proper they are paid correctly.

“Given potential cuts and the continual threat over the future of South Lodge Care Home it will not make comfortabl­e reading for many GMB members to see these payments being made while many workers are receiving poverty pay.

“In a recent survey 91 per cent of our members said that there were too many highly paid officers at South Ayrshire Council.

“A way forward would be for the Returning Officer roles be incorporat­ed into the chief executive’s overall job responsibi­lities, which would mean these additional payments could be diverted to saving jobs and services.”

A South Ay r s h i re Council spokesman said: “In all types of election, the Returning Officer is personally responsibl­e for the administra­tion and integrity of the election – ensuring the democratic process is delivered fairly and transparen­tly.

“Levels of payment for Returning Officer duties are set nationally – not by individual authoritie­s – and any payments have been well below the maximum amounts permitted by relevant national guidance and legislatio­n.

“Returning Officers’ roles, responsibi­lities and remunerati­on are expected to be reviewed as part of a national consultati­on and we will comply with any changes that may bring about.”

 ??  ?? Well paid Elieen Howat
Well paid Elieen Howat

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