Liverpool Council is still paying out tens of thousands of pounds extra a month to employ interim members of staff.
In the aftermath of the damaging Caller Report almost two years ago, commissioners were appointed to oversee the cash-strapped local authority, which has found it difficult to recruit senior staff. As a result, a series of key posts like chief executive and chief finance officer are currently being filled by interim place holders Theresa Grant and Barry Scarr.
It was revealed in January the council has set about advertising seven top director positions on salaries totalling almost £900,000. New documents have revealed since then, five senior posts have been filled, including new incoming chief executive Andrew Lewis from Cheshire West and Chester.
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The city council said it anticipates all permanent senior leadership positions will be appointed by the middle of next month. Subject to notice period, staff are expected to take up their posts by July at the latest.
However in the meantime, Liverpool Council is still shelling out thousands of pounds to employ interim staff. A document updating its progress, to be discussed by the authority’s finance and resources committee next week, showed while a budget of a little more than £152,000 had been made available to employ 13 interim staff, its actual spend was £216,000 - an additional £64,000 a month.
The report said: “All costs associated with the recruitment to these posts will be contained within the existing budget. The Council is aware and mindful of the additional costs associated with interim arrangements, particularly with external agencies and consultants.
“Appointments have only been made to posts critical to the delivery of improvement or statutory roles, and a plan is in place to recruit permanently to these roles as soon as possible.” The council is still seeking to appoint long-term directors in the neighbourhoods and children's services.
A series of interviews are expected to take place through this month and April for a number of key positions covered by interim placeholders including directors of highways and transport, financial improvement, and housing.
A total of 10 temporary staff are currently employed in the office of the chief executive, finance and resources directorate, adults, city development and neighbourhoods at a cost of £148,000 a month. The report does not include consultancy firms supporting direct pieces of work or agency staff across the wider organisation.
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