Bridge bosses reveal income after Weekly News story
MERSEY Gateway chiefs have moved to disclose their income earned in their roles as directors on the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board.
Last week the Weekly News revealed that Halton Borough Council leader Cllr Rob Polhill, his deputy Cllr Mike Wharton and chief executive David Parr were among seven directors to have shared £400,000 in emoluments over two years.
A statement issued by Cllr Polhill and also published on the Halton Constituency Labour Party page on Facebook said Cllr Polhill and Cllr Wharton each received £5,553 after tax for their roles as non-executive directors. David Parr, who is also the serving MGCB chief executive, said he receives £7,944 per year after tax for his board role.
Mr Parr said that it would have been inappropriate for him to divulge the board emoluments details without the board’s authority. He added that he the amount he receives was set by the MGCB. For comparison, the standard amount councillors receive in allowances is £8,345.04pa before tax.
The Mersey Gateway Crossings Board was set up as a non-profit special purpose vehicle – a type of subsidiary business – to oversee the management of the £1.86bn project.
The other directors include specialist staff such as finance and construction directors.
Mr Parr said: “It would be inappropriate for me to respond in respect of the personal circumstances of others employed by MGCB Ltd or appointed as non-executive directors of MGCB Ltd.
“It would also be inappropriate for me to respond on behalf of the MGCB Ltd without the authority of the MGCB Ltd Board on matters within the control of the MGCB Ltd.
“However, I am able to confirm that Halton Council agreed that I could act as chief executive of the MGCB Ltd and Halton Council. The time I commit to carrying out work for MGCB Ltd is in addition to the work I do for Halton Council. The role of chief executive of the MGCB Ltd also requires me to undertake additional duties and responsibilities over and above my role a chief executive of Halton Council. I receive an annum payment of £7,944 after tax for the additional time, duties and responsibilities I undertake as the chief executve of the MGCB Ltd.”
The statement issued by Cllr Polhill to the Weekly News said: “As you would expect with any company set up to deliver such a huge project, the Mersey Gateway (Crossings) Board has a number of staff, many are experts in their fields and must be paid for their work, commensurate with their experience and expertise.
“Halton Borough Council decided to have two elected council members, council leader and deputy leader on the board to represent the interests of the council and residents of Halton.
“For their time and commitment to this important role in overseeing that this huge infrastructure project is delivered on time and on budget, they received £5,553 per year after tax and this is financed from the company not the council.
“This work is in addition to work undertaken by them as elected members of Halton Borough Council.”