Highland Council social work boss declines additional salary

A council employee has declined the offer of extra pay for taking up a six month post aimed at helping to control the authority’s social work spending.

Bill Alexander said he had not accepted the additional £25,000 salary because of the financial pressures on the Highland Council service’s budget.

Mr Alexander has stepped aside as head of children’s services.

The council said in his new temporary role he would lead the modernisation of social work services for adults.

Caol and Mallaig member Bill Clark was suspended from council business for a week because of his opposition to plans to spend the additional £25,000 when the service was facing cuts.

Mr Clark, who was elected as an independent, is part of the authority’s ruling coalition.

His suspension was ended at a meeting of independent councillors.

The chief operating officer post was created to try to help tackle a projected £3.4m overspend in the social work budget.

Council officials had said the authority must “spend to save” and the temporary appointment would lead to improved finances and service delivery.

Services to people with learning difficulties and older people are among those affected by the spending strains.