A COUNCILLOR has questioned the pay packages of Argyll and Bute management staff after it was revealed that the number of local authority employees earning at least £50,000 per annum has risen by almost 500 in just four years.

A recent meeting heard that from 2021 to 2025, there has been an increase from 151 employees to 650 on a pay scale in excess of £50k.

Councillor Tommy MacPherson (Independent, South Kintyre) queried whether the authority’s administration felt that the current management’s salary was exceeding their performance.

But Pippa Milne, the council’s chief executive, said there was already a feeling among senior management that they were “having to do more with less”.

The discussion took place at a meeting of the full council on Thursday, September 26.

Cllr MacPherson said: “It has been brought to my attention that over the years, we have seen an incremental increase in our pay banding.

“From 2021 to 2025, we have seen an increase from 151 employees to 650 on a pay scale in excess of £50,000.

“We may not be keeping within the curve of what is expected of employees in terms of job descriptions and what we are paying.

“Is the 650-person figure correct up to March 31, and might we be more dynamic in reviewing the roles and productivities?

“Does the administration consider salaries within Argyll and Bute’s current management to have exceeded individual performance? Has the administration considered a pause on recruitment with a review of hybrid working from home?”

Ms Milne said: “The figure of 650 is correct. The increases that Councillor MacPherson refers to are mainly a result of material pay inflation responding the cost of living.

“They are not promotions and it is worth noting that 192 of the figure relates to teachers who have moved into a higher banding as a result of the teachers’ pay award.

“I am waiting to get the updated figure, but most of it relates to teachers, or teaching-related staff.

“Staffing makes up a large proportion of the council’s overall costs. Councillor MacPherson and I have corresponded quite a lot on this point, mainly in relation to restructuring senior management roles.

“In terms of senior management, most senior roles are statutory posts, for example chief executive and executive directors.

“It is extremely lean in comparative terms, and if we reduced that further it would be inadvisable. We also need to watch we are not putting undue pressure on staff.

“There is a sense of increased pressure and a feeling they have to do more with less. That is something we have to be mindful of.”

Council leader Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) added: “Council pay and conditions correspond to national conditions.

“I think something you have to take into account is that you have to attract people to come in, and we have to value our staff.”