Staffing level query raised

Questions have been raised over staffing levels at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority amid claims it has spent far more on staff than had originally been expected.

The public body headed by metro mayor James Palmer has been criticised after suggestions it has spent more than twice as much as had initially been suggested on a far larger workforce. The authority, which has been touted as a lean and efficient body, has taken on additional roles and responsibilities since it was set up in 2017.

Speaking at Cambridge City Council’s strategy and resources scrutiny committee, Cllr Tim Bick, Lib Dem leader at Cambridge City Council, asked whether the combined authority’s staffing situation was getting out of hand.

Cllr Bick said: “There are now 62 members of staff working at the combined authority, contrasted with the 20 that were originally promised. Staff are costing £2.5 million compared to the £1 million originally proposed.”

Council leader Cllr Lewis Herbert sits on the board of the combined authority. He said it was “reasonable” that the staffing levels of the combined authority had grown, given the added responsibilities it has taken on.

This includes taking on staff after absorbing many of the duties of the former local enterprise partnership (LEP) which ceased operating last year. “The LEP had 25 staff and continued to operate, I think, until March,” he added.

James Palmer