Leader hits back
THE leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Councillor Ivor Hyslop has hit back at Labour accusations that a new council post would come with a £140,000 salary.
Councillor Hyslop, said: "The decision to appoint an Assistan
t Chief Executive was made by a meeting of the full Council. The Labour statement is incorrect in that the salary for the post will be around £80,000, not £140,000.
"There are always additional costs associated with recruitment including advertising, employers national insurance, etc.
"If the post is filled internally, there will also be costs of back-filling that person's current post, so an additional £60,000 has been set aside, making the total £140,000. However, the remainder will only be spent if absolutely necessary".
Council cuts discussed
DUMFRIES and Galloway Council will meet today to discuss how save over £100 million during the next three years.
Savings targets the councillors will be asked to agree are £21.8M in 2011/12; £36.6M in 2012/13; £51.4m in 2013/14.
Mid Galloway councillor Graham Nicol said: "These figures are a best guess with the information we have at the moment but I suspect it will be at least that due to all the indications we are being given by central government".
Nicol to stand down
COUNCILLOR Nicol will stand down today as the chairman of Wigtown Area Committee after three years in the post. He will hand over the reins to Wigtown West Councillor Roberta Tuckfield.
The Mid Galloway councillor said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my three years as chairman of Wigtown Area Committee and it is with regret I step down.
Power fault
SCOTTISH Power have apologised after a line fault wiped out supplies and damaged telephone equipment around Penninghame, north of Newton Stewart, on Monday.
A spokesman said the fault was reported at around 4am on Monday.
