Senior restructure at Walsall Council for six-figure salaried staff described as ‘complete shambles’

The councillors report being ‘kept in the dark’ throughout the reorganisation which is being carried out by the chief executive of Walsall Council, Emma Bennett.

Rumours have circulated about the creation of a deputy chief executive post, and the amalgamation of certain services at Walsall with Wolverhampton City Council.

A spokesperson for the council said the restructure is to ‘ensure the future needs of the borough are met’ and to provide ‘value for money’.

Councillors have questioned if money is being saved, whether it will be put back into front line services.

All local authorities are made up of two halves; the councillors who have been elected by the public to create policy, and officers who are employed by the council to deliver the policy.

At the top end of the officer structure at Walsall Council is the chief executive, then four executive directors, and 16 directors.

Salaries for the most recent financial year are yet to be published, but for the year 2023/24, nearly all of the directors’ salaries started at £100,000, executive directors were paid at least £135,000 and the chief executive, between £175,000 – £180,000.

Councillor Paul Bott, representing the Darlaston South ward, said: “The chief executive has called for the restructure and we’re in the dark about it. It’s a complete shambles in my opinion. We’ve just asked the tax payer to pay another 4.99 percent in council tax.

“If there’s going to be a restructure of the council, I’m concerned it’s so people can have pay rises. It should be democratic and left to the elected members, not a chief executive, whether she’s got the power to do it or not.

“It should be open and transparent, it should be brought to full council or at least to a scrutiny committee to be scrutinised. The public pay their council tax and they should know what’s going on.”

Pete Smith, representing the Blakenall ward, said: “To me it’s a matter of principle, who runs the council? Is it elected members or the chief officer?

“The most important point is that the public can see any changes in the structure of the council which is decided by and agreed by their elected representatives. Not decided with most of the work done behind closed doors by the chief executive who is our chief employee.

“If the rumour is true, that part of this restructure includes a post which equates to a deputy chief executive, I would be opposed to that. I don’t know and don’t understand why we would need that.

“The majority of folk have already lost confidence in government, local and national, lost confidence in their elected members and it’s the relentless cuts to services, year by year, they see themselves paying more and more for less and less.

“It sticks in their core when they see some of the salaries that some of our top officers are receiving. I think cuts in the council’s budget should be matched by almost exact cuts, percentages wise, in chief officers’ salaries.”

Councillor Aftab Nawaz, representing the St Matthews ward, added: “Councillors want the best for this borough and any restructure that takes place should involve them.

“If it is done in a secretive way, it shows disrespect at best, and at worst, it shows disdain for elected members.

“Hopefully the council can get it right but it needs to engage with elected members, the councillors who have the mandate from the people of Walsall.”

A spokesperson from Walsall Council said: “Walsall Council is undertaking a senior management review at director/head of service level to ensure the council is set up to meet the future needs of the borough and deliver on the borough vision We Are Walsall 2040 and the new council plan, Pursuing Excellence, approved at council in January 2025.

“In light of financial pressures facing all local authorities, the review is also being undertaken to ensure value for money, with a view to identifying savings, if appropriate.

“This is the next chapter of the council’s highly successful transformation journey, which was recognised at the 2024 Local Government Chronicle Awards when Walsall Council won the Most Improved Council Award.

“This work is being managed appropriately in line with legislation (the Local Government and Housing Act 1989) and the council’s constitution.

“A formal 45-day consultation is underway at present with staff who are affected so it would be inappropriate to comment further while this consultation is ongoing. There will be an all-member briefing on Monday 31 March 2025.”