Cuts to disabled children's short breaks while senior staff get pay rises

The council is proposing a 10% cut in funding for short breaks for disabled children, amounting to £273,000. This decision, officials claim, is crucial to avoiding jeopardizing the council’s financial stability.

However, a look at recent spending decisions raises questions about these priorities. In 2019, Colin Molton was paid £272,000 as a second executive director of Growth and Regeneration, a rate of £1,500 per day for a four-day workweek. This eye-watering sum was justified despite the simultaneous hiring of Stephen Peacock as the executive director for the same department. Molton was there ostensibly to assist with managing projects. At that time, there were no concerns voiced about financial jeopardy.

Fast forward to February 2024, the council approved a £4 million loan to Bristol Waste. This is the same entity that awarded its finance director £71,000 for loss of office after paying him £84,000 for eight months of work. Additionally, a Labour cabinet member received a £54,000 loan as start-up cash for her company, and a director of adult social care earned £100,129 for three months of work, which included a £69,000 loss of office payment.

I won’t even mention all the lavish meals and single malt whiskeys signed off on expenses for the managing director at Bristol Waste.

Again, financial jeopardy was not a concern.

Previously, Donald Graham, director of homes and landlord services, was the highest-paid director at£280,000 in 21/22 when he was interim. Now that’s been reduced to £178,000 with a permanent contract but seven directors earn over £150,000. Before our chief executive Stephen Peacock went to WECA at the beginning of this month, his salary increased to £225,000. Two years ago the salary was £50,000 less at £174,073.

The second highest salary last year was £183,000. Despite these substantial salaries, there was no concern about the potential financial risk to the council.

When it comes to funding short breaks for disabled children, however, the council raises alarms about financial jeopardy.

This issue will be addressed in the committee meeting on June 27th.

Under Section 25 of the Children and Young People’s Act 2008, local authorities have a statutory duty to provide such services. The current budget includes £2.74 million from the Bristol City Counci

l and £0.6 million from the Integrated Care Board. The full council decided on January 2023 to implement this budget cut for future years. They then gave pay rises and pay offs to senior staff.

Despite the claims of financial jeopardy, it seems only the funding of essential services for disabled children get questioned while the substantial salaries and severance payments within the council’s senior team, never get challenged.

Children and Young People Policy Committee, 27 June 2024, 5pm.