Suffolk Liberal Democrats boycott recruitment of the new Head of Communications.

5.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Jun 2008

Liberal Democrats have today called for Suffolk County Council to review its decision to appoint a new Head of Communications at a salary of around £81,000.

Group Leader Kathy Pollard said "With the future of Suffolk County Council in doubt we are challenging the decision to recruit to this post at this time. At the beginning of July the Boundary Committee will put forward its proposals for the future of local councils in Suffolk - and Suffolk County Council may well cease to exist in 2010.

Given the controversy surrounding the £220,000 salary of the new Chief Executive, the Conservatives need to think very carefully about spending such a large amount of public money on a new spin doctor for the council."

Liberal Democrats have also submitted a Freedom of Information request to find out the amount paid to Francis Thomas, the previous Head of Communications, when he left last week. The council had refused to disclose the sum.

Commenting on this Mrs. Pollard said, "The public has a right to know how much Mr. Thomas was paid. It is, after all, their money that is being spent. There has been speculation in the press that the pay out could have been as much as £50,000. The departure of Mr. Thomas has also been reported in the national press and the reputation of Suffolk County Council is being dragged through the mud by the Conservatives. They need to think long and hard about whether to go ahead with this appointment."