Pay hikes and we didn't ask

Terrified local authority bosses left fuming at ministers for increasing salaries and council tax on same day

- HANNAH RODGER

LOCAL authority chiefs have received death threats over pay rises of up to 41 per cent on the same day council tax bills soar for millions.

On Tuesday, all 32 council leaders and provosts will see their wages go up by as much as £14,500 while staff have been offered pay awards of just three per cent.

The pay rises for councillors who often have full-time jobs outwith their council roles will cost taxpayers £6million.

The Sunday Mail has learned one leader was emailed photos of guns while others have been given safety training by police.

In some cases, the police advice includes being given a "code word" to use if they call 999 to trigger an immediate response from officers.

The pay hikes, combined with eye-watering council tax rises, have left residents, trade unions and staff fuming.

GMB Scotland Secretary Louise Gilmour said: "These pay increases are an affront to every council worker and the absolute definition of hypocrisy."

Edinburgh leader Jane Meagher and Glasgow leader Susan Aitken will receive rises of 12 per cent to £71,519 while council tax goes up by eight per cent in Edinburgh and 7.5 per cent in Glasgow.

In Falkirk, as council tax rises by 15.6 per cent, leader Cecil Meiklejohn will get a 17 per cent boost, taking her to £50,063.