Opposition politicians have had their say after Tom Whitney announced he is moving on from the mayor’s office after a short time in post
Opposition politicians have had their say after Tom Whitney announced he is moving on from the mayor’s office after a short time in post
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram’s chief of staff has quit his post after just seven months, with the region’s Combined Authority(CA) now advertising for the £113k per year role.
Tom Whitney was hired as Mayor Rotheram’s top aide last October, but has announced that he is already leaving. He will be heading off to work for Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
In a post on Linkedin, Mr Whitney – who previously worked at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority – said: “I’ve loved my time working at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority but I’ll be moving on in a few weeks to take up a new opportunity.”
It means that the post is now being recruited for again – with an eye-catching salary on offer. A new job advert for the chief of staff role states: “We’re looking for an exceptional individual to become the chief of staff to the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region.
“The chief of staff will serve as a trusted adviser to the mayor, playing a critical role in supporting the work and vision of the mayor, collaborating within and outside the Combined Authority, ensuring the effective running of the Mayor’s office. You will report directly to the chief executive and work closely with the executive directors and their teams.”
The role, which the CA says will require a candidate with ‘a high level of political acumen’, is offering a salary of up to £113,319 per year, with applications open until April 27. This is a salary significantly higher than the allowance Mayor Rotheram himself is paid each year.
The swift departure of the Mayor’s first chief of staff after just seven months and the vast salary have drawn criticism from one of the region’s opposition leaders. Liverpool Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Carl Cashman took aim at the Labour Mayor.
He said: “Once again the metro mayor has proven that he can’t organise a steak pie in a stadium.
“The rehiring of a head of office will come at great cost to the local taxpayer who are also now paying an extra 26% on their metro mayor tax thanks to Steve Rotheram.
“The £113k a year salary will also sound like a cruel joke to those who have had their disability benefit cut by the Labour Government. These extortionate salaries are typical of Labour politicians who want to throw money at a problem rather than actually sit down with taxpayers and listen to what really needs to happen across Merseyside.
He added: “This money would be better spent working out a proper way of getting fans to the new Everton stadium rather than on one person who Steve will probably throw under the proverbial tram after he makes his next mistake.”
Hitting back, a Labour source said: “Dragging hardworking, politically neutral staff into a public row – people who don’t have the platform to respond – is a low blow, even by Carl and the Lib Dems’ standards.
“The Mayor’s office operates with a lean team supporting a city region of 1.6 million people, helping deliver billions in investment, creating everything from new jobs and homes to better transport and digital infrastructure. It is serious work that requires serious people.
“That work deserves respect – not cheap shots from someone better known for posing for selfies on Instagram than putting forward serious proposals.”
A Liverpool City Region Combined Authority spokesperson told the ECHO: “We don’t comment on staffing matters.”