Lambeth chief exec earns more than Gordon Brown (From Streatham Guardian)

Lambeth chief executive Derrick Anderson earns more than PM Gordon Brown

8:30am Thursday 9th April 2009 in News By Matt Watts

Rich list: Lambeth chief exec Derrick Anderson earns more a year than Prime Minister Gordon Brown

Lambeth Council’s chief executive earns considerably more than Gordon Brown and is one of the top five council earners in the country, according to a report from a low tax pressure group.

Derrick Anderson’s paypacket comes to a whopping £218,870 a year, more than the £194,250 the Prime Minister receives.

The figures obtained by the Taxpayer’s Alliance are for 2007/8, and show 10 members of Lambeth’s staff earning more than £100,000 a year.

The Taxpayer’s Alliance is calling for an end to high salaries for those on the “council gravy train” during the economic downturn when cashflow is stretched.

Maria Fort from the group said: “The fact that executives who have overseen increases in council tax, cuts in services and major policy failures are getting ever more generously rewarded is frustrating for taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet.”

A council spokesman said all the £100,000-a-year jobs were “highly responsible roles” that involve ensuring the council is as financially efficient as possible and every penny is spent wisely, so it is important the council pay the market rate to attract the right candidates for the job.

He said Derrick Anderson was responsible for managing 8,000 staff, delivering 150 services and a budget of £1billion.

“We pay the market rate for officers in senior positions, in keeping with their workload and level of responsibility and are consistent with other local authorities,” he added.

Neighbouring borough Wandsworth employs 22 staff on six-figure salaries.

The Lambeth spokesman added: “We’ve been able to freeze council tax this year without cutting services thanks to sensible financial management over the past few years, and council tax in Lambeth remains among the lowest in the country.”

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