Stick to salary cap plan, George

I WAS sorry to learn the mayor was upset by the Human Resources Committee, who decided to endorse my colleague Councillor Richard Eddy's proposal to set a salary cap for the council's new chief officer post ("Ferguson vents fury at 'bloody stupid' pay limit rule", The Post, March 6).

Whilst I am not sure I entirely agree with the terms of this particular cap, because I do not want to diminish the effectiveness of the mayor's administration, I feel compelled to remind George that throughout his mayoral campaign, he made it very clear that the practice of paying very high salaries to senior council officials must end.

Furthermore, at a recent meeting, I personally overheard George state that he favoured a maximum pay ceiling of £150,000. Along with most Bristolians, I believe such a figure is more than adequate for a public service employee.

We really have to make a start at tackling the high levels of remuneration many chief executives in local government currently enjoy.

Replacement Combi Boiler from £1,850 with a 7 year warranty!!!

Bristol Plumbing and Heating Company

View details

Print voucher

Thinking about upgrading your old boiler, why not take advantage of our fantastic offer High efficiency, condensing combination boilers, from the excellent Worcester Bosch range with a 7 year warrant

Contact: 0117 370 8042

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

In fact, one of the reasons given for dispensing with a CX was in order to lower the salary banding of any successor (assuming that the mayor chose to relinquish this responsibility).

Conservatives led the argument in calling for the deletion of the former position of deputy chief executive and reduction in the number of senior managers, precisely because this was viewed as excessively bureaucratic and too expensive to maintain.

We also made it clear during the mayoral referendum and election that any appointed head of service would be paid less than previously awarded.

Therefore, I appeal to those who will determine this appointment to carefully bear this pay recommendation in mind. Councillor Eddy is to be commended for just trying to hold the mayor to his word. I hope, on reflection, George will agree to stick with this salary cap commitment.

Councillor Peter Abraham

Conservative Leader