News / Politics
New chief exec’s salary revealed
The incoming chief executive of Bristol City Council will be paid almost £192,000 a year, it has been revealed.
Council bosses had previously refused to disclose how much Nick Hibberd will be paid when he arrives at City Hall in January, even though the figures have to be published by law.
Kelvin Blake, a Labour councillor for Hillfields, has now successfully challenged the decision to withhold the figures.
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In a written question to the member forum, Blake said is is “important for the public to know how taxpayer money is spent”.
Blake asked: “Why have you not released the newly appointed chief executive’s salary? Please could you inform us of what the salary is?”
Labour councillor Kelvin Blake said “it’s important for the public to know how taxpayer money is spent” – photo: Bristol City Council/YouTube
Council leader Tony Dyer said that Bristol City Council does not usually comment on individual salary information “as it is personal data”.
He said: “Salary bands are published in the pay policy statement on the council website and the remuneration of senior officers is also published on the website as part of our annual statement of accounts, which is a statutory requirement.
“However, I do have the permission of our newly appointed chief executive to release his salary information.
“The selection committee appointed him at the top of the pay band, which, taking into account the recent national pay award for local authority chief executives, is an annual salary of £191,843.”
Council leader Tony Dyer (left) confirmed how much the new chief executive of the Council will be paid when he joins in January – photo: Bristol City Council/YouTube
£191,843 equates to £3,689.29 a week, or £737.86 daily, before tax.
Dyer said the role was graded independently using an approved method and comparing it with similar positions elsewhere.
He said Hibberd’s salary would rise each year in line with national Joint Negotiating Committee pay awards for senior council officers.
Blake added: “I understand the sensitivities around salaries, however, it’s really important to maintain confidence from the public about how we spend public money and I wondered whether Tony would wholeheartedly agree with those sentiments?”
Dyer replied: “I agree it’s vitally important that we are very careful with how we spend public money.
“It’s also important that we respect individual privacy.
“What I can say in the interests of some additional information is that among the core cities, Bristol has the lowest salary paid to its chief executive.”
The full council unanimously approved the new top boss’ appointment in October.
Ocean kayaker Hibberd will replace interim chief exec Paul Martin on January 6.
Hibberd has more than 25 years of experience at top levels of local government and most recently worked for the London Borough of Croydon’s corporate management team.
Main photo: Brighton & Hove City Council
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