Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner wants to appoint his first ever deputy – on an annual salary of around £23,000 for three days’ work a week.
Conservative Peter McCall, whose role has been expanded to include Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, has tabled plans to go before his police and crime panel meeting today.
His recommendation for the newly-created role is to hire Tory councillor Mike Johnson, the outgoing £21,000-a-year Conservative leader of Allerdale council.
The council is being abolished from April 1 and replaced by the incoming Cumberland County Council. Mr Johnson was re-elected but has been made group leader of the opposition after Labour won control of the new unitary authority in last May’s elections.
Mr Johnson is a member of the police and crime panel, but will play no part in the discussion. He is also the managing director of a Workington-based engineering firm. Mr McCall’s proposal has been seriously questioned by Keswick-based Labour councillor Markus Campbell-Savours.
Mr Campbell-Savours said: “The PCC taking control of the fire service was supposed to bring efficiencies, but this appointment does not look like value for money. The commissioner’s original business case said nothing about employing a deputy and definitely said nothing about a political employment.
“This just looks like jobs for the boys. I would ask the police and crime panel to really think about this appointment – isn’t this an opportunity to bring in real, relevant experience and not just a fellow member of a political party?”
The justification for the appointment – the first deputy police and crime commissioner for Cumbria since Mr McCall was first elected in May 2016 – has been attributed to the “ever-increasing demand on the commissioner’s time”.
A report to the panel explained that under the rules of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the appointment of a deputy was not subject to open recruitment and also permitted Mr McCall to make a political appointment.
The report reads: “The commissioner interviewed Mr Johnson where he asked questions to assure and confirm Mr Johnson held the required skills and knowledge for the position.
“Based on the agreed criteria it was apparent that Mr Johnson had the necessary knowledge and understanding. The commissioner is more than satisfied that Mr Johnson has the skills and would be able to fulfil the functions required.”
While the issue is on the main agenda at the meeting, the discussion is expected to move into part two – which is behind closed doors in the absence of public and press, often used for sensitive or commercial matters by councils.
