The Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister for Local Government have today raised concerns over the budgetary approach taken by Wales’ largest council.

Full details of Labour’s 22 million pounds budget cuts have been revealed.

They include over 450 thousand pounds in proposed cuts to organisations across Cardiff.

Yesterday the deadline passed for applications to 11 new corporate director positions at the council – all earning between 120 and 130 thousand pounds. With NI and other associated expenses, the annual cost of these jobs is reported to be close to two million pounds.

This level of management was slimmed down by the council over three years ago.

Cardiff Council already employs a significant number of operational managers - all earning over 40 thousand pounds.

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

“350 job cuts. Over two dozen organisations facing funding cuts. Swingeing cuts to frontline services. 11 new high-flying execs all earning nearly as much as the Prime Minister.

“There is a massive contradiction in this approach that just doesn’t make sense.

“This is not one or two important positions being filled, this is a sweeping change in attitude towards council structure.

“There are already dozens of highly-paid managers within the council who know their areas of responsibility well.

“It is impossible to understand how this new recruitment can be justified by Labour, particularly at this time.”

South Wales Central Assembly Member and Leader of the Opposition, Andrew RT Davies AM, said:

“A Labour police precept hike of seven per cent. Attempts to inflate pay for senior management in Caerphilly. Recruiting 11 new senior execs in Cardiff: Welcome to Carwyn Jones’ Labour-run south Wales.

“Inflating the top tier of management at this time is a slap in the face to service providers and other staff in Cardiff.

“Many of the council’s budget cuts become all the more unacceptable when compared to the vast amounts of money that will be spent on these positions.

“Finding efficiency savings is important.

“Axing worthy services like Cardiff Riding School - while employing almost a dozen huge earners - is shameful, wasteful, and unforgiveable.”