Supercouncil boss will get double mayor’s pay

THE official set to run the new West Midlands supercouncil will be paid more than double the salary of the elected mayor, it has been revealed.

The chief executive of the new West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) should be paid between £160,000 and £180,000, according to a report.

Last month it was proposed that the West Midlands mayor, who will lead the authority, should be paid £79,000 per year – though several candidates said they will take less.

The WMCA is made up of the leaders of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton council plus associate members from the region’s business community and surrounding district councils.

The chief executive will be the WMCA’s top official – front runners for the role include Coventry City Council’s chief executive Martin Reeves and Wolverhampton City Council’s Keith Ireland. The £180,000 salary would be part-funded from the now defunct role of Centro director, which paid £156,000.

Last year Mr Ireland is believed to have told business leaders that the elected mayor should only be paid £40,000 to £50,000.

Currently the chief executive of Birmingham City Council, responsible for a £3 billion budget, is paid £180,000 plus bonuses. The job is currently vacant following the departure of Mark Rogers last month.

Other major UK city regions are appointing mayors and chief executive but so far only Greater Manchester is matching the £180,000 chief executive salary. Sheffield will pay £140,000.