Top Officer Pay at a Teesside Local Council Soars by Over £40,000 in a Decade – Is This Value for Money?

Hartlepool Borough Council’s Top Officer Pay Soars by Over £40,000 in the space of a Decade – Are Locals Really Getting Value for Money?

16th March 2025

Over the past decade, Hartlepool Borough Council's seen a significant increase in the remuneration of its top officer, raising serious questions about value for money, fairness, and priorities in local government.

Reports indicate that just a decade ago, back in 2013-14, the then-Hartlepool Borough Council Chief Executive, Dave Stubbs, just prior to his departure earned an annual salary of £140,833. Fast forward to 2023-24, and the same role, now titled 'Managing Director' and occupied by Denise McGuckin, commands a salary of £183,510. This represents an eye-watering increase of £42,677 over a ten year period – a rise of over 30%. But is this pay escalation actually justified amidst a decades worth of council redundansies & cuts to local services, and are Hartlepool residents truly getting value for money, especially when frontline services and staff face ongoing pressures?

Breaking Down the Increase

The increase in salary over the last decade could have put nearly two more street cleaners back on the streets. Instead, its left to volunteers to clean up some of the towns 'grot spots'....

To put this £42,677 pay rise into perspective, let’s consider what that money could have achieved if it was redirected elsewhere within the council’s budget. For instance, the average salary for a council street cleaner in the UK is around £22,000 per year. With the amount of the pay increase for the Managing Director, the council could have funded the salaries of nearly two full-time street cleaners for an entire year.

Hartlepool Borough Council has only recently purchased a brand new Street Sweeper, after its current fleet was said to have been over 15 years old....

Alternatively, that sum could have been used to invest in vital equipment, such as a new street cleaning vehicle, which typically costs between £30,000 and £50,000 depending on the model and specifications. These are tangible investments that directly benefit the community, keeping streets cleaner and safer for residents.Instead, this significant sum has been absorbed into the remuneration package of a single senior officer.

Whilst it’s true that inflation and the rising cost of living affect everyone, including senior executives, the scale of this increase far outpaces inflation over the same period, which would have justified a rise to around £170,000 if the salary had simply kept pace with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This suggests that the increase is not merely a cost-of-living adjustment but a deliberate decision to boost top-level pay well beyond what might be considered reasonable.

Value for Money – Are Residents Really Getting Their Money’s Worth?

As the incomes of locals in Hartlepool continues to be squeezed by the cost of living crisis, its becoming increasingly difficult to justify such hefty increases to council directors salaries

The role of a council’s top officer is undeniably complex, carrying significant statutory responsibilities and requiring expertise to manage budgets, oversee services, and navigate political and economic challenges. Denise McGuckin, who has served as Hartlepool Borough Council top officer for nearly 5 years, has held various roles, including Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods, before stepping into the Managing Director position in 2020. During her tenure, the council has secured major investments, such as over £55 million for regeneration projects, including new leisure facilities and cultural venues. These achievements are often cited as justification for high senior salaries, with the argument that top talent must be competitively rewarded to attract and retain capable leaders.

However, the question remains: does a £42,677 pay rise over a decade really represent value for money for Hartlepool residents, particularly when frontline services are under strain?

Hartlepool is a borough facing significant socio-economic challenges, including high levels of deprivation, unemployment, and health inequalities. In such a context, every pound of public money must be scrutinised for its impact on the local community. Whilst regeneration projects are important, residents often prioritise more immediate concerns, such as clean streets, well-maintained parks, and accessible social care – services that rely heavily on frontline staff who have not seen comparable pay increases.

A restructure back in 2020 deleted the role of Chief Executive at Hartlepool Borough Council allowing Jill Alexander to leave the post with a hefty 'Golden Goodbye' Package.

Moreover, the council has undergone a number of senior management restructures in recent years, with claims that these changes have supposedly 'saved money'. For example, a restructure which orrcure back in 2020 was estimated to save £56,000 annually, partly by removing the Chief Executive post and creating the Managing Director role. However, these savings appear modest when set against the rising cost of senior remuneration, especially as the total bill for senior officers’ pay and benefits at Hartlepool Borough Council has consistently teetered near the £1 million pounds mark annually in recent years. This raises concerns about whether the council’s leadership is prioritising its own financial interests over those of the wider community.

A Wider Trend of Escalating Senior Pay

Senior Officer salaries at the 'troubled' local council are being described as 'disproportionate' to the local community thats struggling to pay the Council Taxes being demanded of them...

Hartlepool Borough Council isn't alone in this trend. Across the UK, senior council officer salaries have been steadily rising, often outpacing inflation and the pay of lower-grade staff.

Nationally, the number of council staff earning over £100,000 a year has also increased, with some chief executives commanding salaries well above £200,000. Whilst Hartlepool’s top salary remains slightly below the national average for similar-sized councils, the trajectory is clear: senior pay is going up and up, even as councils plead financial hardship and raise council tax to plug budget gaps.

Locals appear to be 'wising up' to the 'sob stories' local councils such as Hartlepool BC are peddling out to justify Council Tax Increases

In Hartlepool, residents have faced punishing council tax increases in recent years, including a 2.99% rise in 2024-25, alongside an additional 2% adult social care precept. These increases add to the financial burden on households already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. However, when residents begin to see such significant pay rises being handed out at the top, it’s understandable that they might question whether their hard-earned money is being spent wisely. The TaxPayers’ Alliance, which publishes the annual “Town Hall Rich List,” has consistently highlighted these disparities, arguing that taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability in how their money is used. It’s worth noting however that Hartlepool Borough Council has historically claimed that its senior salaries are lower than the regional “going rate.” While this may be true compared to larger councils like Northumberland, which had 20 employees earning over £100,000 in 2020-21, it offers little comfort to Hartlepool residents who are more concerned with local outcomes rather than regional comparisons. The fact remains that a £42,677 pay rise for one person could have funded tangible improvements in services that residents see and feel every day.

Its clear that senior officer pay is outpacing that of frontline council workers, many of which are being forced to take on extra work, as departments see their budgets slashed

The issue of senior pay isn't just about numbers; it’s about fairness, priorities, and trust in local government. Whilst senior officers play a crucial role in steering the council, their pay must be balanced against the needs of the community and the pay of frontline workers, who often earn a fraction of these sums. Street cleaners, care workers, and other essential staff are the backbone of council services, yet their pay has not risen at anywhere near the same rate as it has for senior officers & Council Directors. For example, the average council worker’s pay has increased by just 20% over the past decade, compared to the 30% rise for the top officer at Hartlepool.

To restore trust and fairness, there has to now be discussions as to how senior officer pay is determined & whether Hartlepool needs to follow the example of other local councils across the country by Deleting the role of CEO or Managing Director altogether ?.

Independent assessments, public consultations, and clear justifications for Director pay increases could help residents understand why such pay rises are deemed necessary. Additionally, the council could explore linking senior pay rises to measurable improvements in service delivery or resident satisfaction, ensuring that high salaries are tied to tangible outcomes.

Is it Time for a Rethink on the Managing Directors Role ?

Many locals feel the role of Managing Director should be abolished, as some local councils have done to save money

The £42,677 rise in salary for Hartlepool Borough Council’s top officer over the past decade is a stark reminder of the growing gap between senior management and the councils wider workforce, as well as the community they serve. Whilst the role of Managing Director is undoubtedly challenging, the scale of this increase raises serious questions about value for money, especially when that money could have funded nearly two street cleaners, a new vehicle, or other frontline investments.

As Hartlepool faces ongoing economic and social challenges, residents deserve a council that prioritises their needs over the enrichment of its top brass.

It’s therefore time for a rethink – not just in Hartlepool, but across local government as a whole as to how we reward leadership, support frontline workers, and ensure that every pound of public money delivers maximum benefit to the community & not into the pockets of 'the chosen few'....

What do you think ?

Should the role of CEO, or Managing Director at Hartlepool Borough Council be abolished ?

• YES
• NO