How much has Slough Council spent on commissioners?

The government sent in two independent commissioners to the town for a minimum of three years to overview the council’s recovery plans and check it's complying with best value.

The appointments followed two damning reports into the council’s finances and governance last year, which highlighted a ‘dysfunctional culture’ and a catalogue of failings across the board of the council.

As a consequence, Slough Borough Council is having to make restructures, £20m savings a year until 2029, and sell up to £600-worth of assets to reduce its £479m blackhole and £760m borrowing debt.

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Max Caller CBE, lead commissioner (Image: Slough Borough Council)

Max Caller, the leader commissioner, and finance commissioner Margaret Lee arrived in Slough in December 2021 and were given powers stripped away from the council, such as appointing and dismissing statutory officers.

At the time, it was reported the council will cover their costs and could spend about £1m a year for their time in the town.

A third commissioner, Gavin Jones, was appointed earlier this year. The Essex County Council chief executive became Slough’s interim chief executive after former CEO Josie Wragg was sacked for “gross misconduct”.

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The commissioners’ costs can be seen on the council’s website. Their fees are set by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.

The lead commissioner has a fee of £1,200 per day while the finance commissioner charges £1,100 per day.

In total, the council has spent £202,148 from December 2021 to March 2022 on the commissioners.

Mr Caller was paid the most during that time at £94,267 for 68 days of work. Breaking down his pay, he was paid £81,600 while the council paid an additional £11,340 for employer oncosts.

The council also covered his travel costs standing at £1,491 and his hotel/meals at £160.

Margaret Lee, finance commissioner

Meanwhile, finance commissioner Margaret Lee was paid a total of £81,481 from December 2021 to March 2022 for 64 days worth of work.

Her employee costs were £70,400 while the council paid an additional £8,541 in employer oncosts. The local authority also covered her £1,302 travel costs and her £1,239 in hotels and meals.

Gavin Jones, Slough's interim chief executive and third commissioner (Image: Slough Borough Council)

Gavin Jones also charges £1,100 per day as assistant commissioner. However, his bill is paid by Essex County Council and is invoiced to Slough Borough Council.

Mr Jones was not appointed in December but charged £26,400 for employee costs from January to March. Travel bills are not yet billed.