Fatcats to pocket big bonuses in EU poll

SCOTLAND’S fatcat council chiefs stand to collect ‘eye-watering’ windfall payments for organising European parliament elections that ‘nobody wants’.

Town hall mandarins traditionally step in to run such polls, assuming the mantle of Returning Officer on election night.

Failure to secure Brexit on time means UK voters may be forced to turn out next month for EU elections – and senior officials at Scotland’s 32 local authorities are in line for windfalls.

For example, Glasgow City Council’s chief executive Annemarie O’Donnell – who earns £172,618 a year – will receive £22,623.

City of Edinburgh Council chief executive Andrew Kerr – who collects a £170,000 a year salary – is also in line for a five-figure payout.

Last night, Scottish Tory local government spokesman Alexander Stewart said: ‘Council bosses are already on huge wages, so there is little justification for giving them tens of thousands of pounds extra for acting as Returning Officers.

‘These election roles should be considered part of the job, rather than a chance for a taxpayerfunded bonus.

‘The payouts some of them will be due following the European elections are eye-watering and there’s no doubt we need to see them significantly reduced or stopped.’

The Scottish parliament held a hearing as part of a consultation exercise on the validity of payments to Returning Officers.

Giving evidence, Ms O’Donnell said: ‘I would not want to disclose what I do with my fee but what I would advise the committee is that a number of people and organisations do benefit from the Returning Officer fee.

‘No one goes into these elections to make a career but it can end a career. We have to deliver these elections with precision, accuracy and if we fail to do that then our reputations and our careers are jeopardised as a consequence.’

Last week, a spokesman for Ms O’Donnell’s office said the payment was justified, adding: ‘The Returning Officer fee is set and paid by the UK Government and has no impact on the council’s budget.

The appropriateness of the fee is a matter for the UK Government.’