LGR director on £120k to stay after plans shelved

A director on a six-figure salary who was appointed to oversee plans to reorganise local government in Worcestershire has started work despite the government's decision to pause the programme.

Ian Benson took up the role of Worcestershire local government reorganisation (LGR) director at the end of August, Worcestershire County Council confirmed.

The authority said the position, which carries a salary of up to £120,000 a year, was funded by all seven councils in Worcestershire using government grant funding.

The appointment comes after Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner told MPs the government would put the shake up on hold following new legal advice.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said the role would continue despite the pause.

"The Worcestershire local government reorganisation director role, which is funded by all seven councils in Worcestershire using government grant funding, commenced at the end of August," they said.

"The role will continue with preparatory work while we await clarification on what the government's announcement to pause the implementation of the LGR programme means for Worcestershire."

If the LGR plans proceed, Worcestershire County Council and the six district councils would be replaced with two new unitary authorities covering the north and south of the county.

The government has yet to confirm when a decision on the area's future arrangements will be made.

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