‘Wasteful’ new Telford & Wrekin Council job decision criticised

Wednesday 3rd August 2011, 11:30AM BST.

Telford & Wrekin Council HQ

A decision to appoint a new director of children’s services at Telford & Wrekin Council on a salary of nearly £100,000 per year was today labelled “wasteful” and “senseless” by a former borough education chief.

Former Conservative cabinet member Stephen Burrell said that the £92,000 per year appointment of Laura Johnson was a waste of cash which would take money away from frontline services.

He also claimed the decision showed a lack of vision as Telford had a falling number of children in care, the lowest level of youth unemployment in the borough’s history and improving GCSE results.

Council chiefs hit back however, saying the Munro Report – a Government- commissioned independent review of child protection – said all councils should have a dedicated director of children’s services.

Mr Burrell said: “This appointment clearly shows the total lack of vision and wasteful nature of the current Labour administration here in Telford & Wrekin.”

But Councillor Paul Watling, who replaced Mr Burrell as cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “I am amazed by the complacent attitude of the Telford Conservative Party on this issue.”

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