£936-per-day bill for new education chief sparks fury

Cost of executive ‘could cover up to 10 pupil support assistants’

A ROW has erupted after it emerged Highland Council is shelling out £936 a day – almost £250k a year – for a new education boss.

Paul Senior was headhunted for the council after the original recruitment process for its chief executive officer (ECO) for education failed to find a suitable candidate.

The council appointed Londonbased Gatenby Sanderson to widen the search, on the understanding that the use of consultants can cost up to £1,000 per day.

In answer to a question raised by Lochaber councillor Andrew Baxter, chief executive Donna Manson confirmed that the cost to the taxpayer for Mr Senior is £936 per day gross, five days per week for a period up to 12 months.

The council explained that they would not have to cover Mr Senior’s national insurance, pension or training costs and would not have to pay him if he was on holiday or off sick.

Mr Baxter described the eyewatering fee as a “kick in the teeth” to head teachers who have recently had their £5m devolved budget removed to support the council’s ailing finances.

One parent said: “The difference between his salary and other executive chief officers (who earn £91,000 per annum) would pay for eight to 10 pupil support assistants.”

Highland Council is shelling out £936 a day – almost £250k a year – for a new education boss, it has emerged.

Paul Senior was headhunted for the council after the original recruitment process for its executive chief officer (ECO) for education failed to find a suitable candidate.

The council hired London-based Gatenby Sanderson to widen its search, in the knowledge that consultants can cost up to £1,000 per day. In a question from Councillor Andrew Baxter – who was recently suspended by the council’s Independent group – it has emerged that Mr Senior is paid £936 per day gross, five days per week for up to 12 months.

The council said it would not have to cover Mr Senior’s national insurance contributions, pension, training costs, paid holiday or sick pay.

Mr Senior took up his post in late May having previously held an education management role with Hackney Council in London.

He has worked for various English councils as interim director and consultant of education, children’s or adult services.

The council’s other ECOs earn about £91,000 a year.

All eight also have corporate responsibility for a geographical area, that includes “community capacity building, strengthening partnership and promoting cross-service collaboration, and building on the council’s relationship and reputation with the communities it serves”.

Mr Senior’s allocated area is Sutherland.

Mr Baxter called the fee a “kick in the teeth” to head teachers who recently lost their £5 million devolved budget to support the council’s ailing finances.

He said: “At a time when the council administration tells us the finances are in a perilous position, I am staggered they think spending nearly a grand a day on a consultant is good value for money.

“It’s a kick in the teeth to head teachers who had carefully budgeted, then saw their school funds raided.

“Little did they realise that this smash and grab raid was to help pay for an expensive bureaucrat,” added Mr Baxter.

The news has sparked cross-party anger from councillors, including many on the education committee, who said they were not told of the recruitment developments, or pay.

Councillor Graham Mackenzie, a former head teacher, said: “As education spokesman for the opposition I was asked to serve on the appointment panel, which I agreed to, then I was suddenly told it wasn’t going to happen and it was to be a direct appointment by the chief executive.

“It’s incomprehensible that they are making an appointment like this at a time we’re being told drastic cuts have to be made.”

UHI lecturer and councillor Ken Gowans said the costs for the post and hiring arrangements were not agreed by any committee.

“My understanding is this was decided by the chief executive using emergency powers.

“It is very important that anyone in this role has a good grasp of all the logistical challenges we face in Highland and the needs of communities.

“While remote working has many benefits it also has its limits.”

Parent and secretary of Bishop Eden’s Primary School parent council Helen Smith said: “The difference between him and other executive chief officers’ salaries would pay for eight to 10 pupil support assistants.”