Norwich City Council has been paying significantly higher rates for temporary managers than it would for permanent staff, according to figures obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information request. The council paid £750 per day for a temporary fire safety manager, compared to the normal cost of £201 for a permanent position. Green Party councillor Liam Calvert criticized these payments, saying they were hard to justify. The council defended its actions, stating that recruiting permanent staff for certain positions is a challenge faced by local authorities nationwide.
The figures obtained by the Green Party show that Norwich City Council has been paying temporary managers rates that are more than triple what it would normally pay for permanent staff. For example, an interim chief finance officer was paid £944 per day, while the permanent equivalent would cost £451. The council has recently reduced its agency spend by half, but concerns remain about the high costs of temporary hires. Mr. Calvert accused the council of “throwing money at the problem” of recruitment, leading to a loss of continuity and experience within the organization.
An industry source explained that temporary senior managers often charge higher rates based on their specialism, scarcity, and flexibility. They can quickly fill vacancies while the search for a permanent staff member is underway and provide immediate expertise. However, these managers may leave for better-paying opportunities elsewhere, increasing the reliance on agency staff. Data from the Local Government Association shows a significant increase in the use of agency staff to fill workforce gaps, especially in sectors like legal services and finance. Norwich City Council cited difficulties in recruiting permanent staff as a sector-wide issue.
The staffing challenges faced by Norwich City Council are not unique, as many local authorities across the country struggle to recruit and retain permanent staff for specialist and statutory roles. The use of agency staff has become common to address these gaps, despite the higher costs involved. The council acknowledged the need to address these issues and find more sustainable solutions in the long term. Critics continue to raise concerns about the impact of high agency spend on the quality and continuity of services provided to residents. It remains to be seen how local authorities will navigate these challenges and strike a balance between temporary and permanent staffing solutions.
