Fire chief's pay rise gets rank and file hot under the collar

The increase will lift Lothian and Borders Chief Fire Officer Brian Allaway's annual salary from 105,098 to 111,906.

And today the Fire Brigades Union said the award would cause "anger and frustration" among union members.

Gavin Barrie, FBU regional treasurer, said: "It would appear Mr Allaway is reasonable value for money, but it is galling it comes when, at the beginning of this month, experienced firefighters across the UK took a pay cut.

"In the fire service you get 1000 long service pay after 15 years, but they have taken that money from us and this month we are working for less than we did last month. It's been halved to 500."

He said it might also be difficult to explain Mr Allaway's rise if public sector rises are frozen next year by Chancellor Gordon Brown.

"In the background to this, there's the threat of a two per cent pay freeze on public sector pay next year. How can a chief fire officer then get six-and-a-half per cent?

"It is fair he gets a rise, but if he is worth six-and-a-half, one would hope that would go across the board.

"Why freeze some at two per cent and another is getting six-and-a-half? It is unfair."

The increase, due to be approved by Lothian & Borders Fire and Rescue Board on Friday, will allow Mr Allaway to retain his position as the second highest earner among fire chiefs in Scotland, and also take him ahead of some in England.

Salary levels for chief fire officers are worked out under a national agreement, based on population levels within each fire authority region. A minimum rate is set, but not a maximum.

John Park, assistant secretary at the STUC, said Mr Allaway's salary increase highlighted an inequality in pay.

He said: "I understand there will be a different pay systems and mechanisms for being further up the managerial structure, but in terms of a pay rise for firefighters, they are in the front line and so the public would expect their pay rises to be around the same level. We just want a consistent approach."

Councillor Ken Harrold, Convenor of the Lothian and Borders Fire Board, said; "This matter will be considered at the board meeting on Friday, so it would be inappropriate to comment before this meeting has taken place."

The increase coincides with a restructuring of the senior roles within the brigade.

Following the departure of deputy chief officer, Steven Torrie, earlier this year - after he was appointed as Central Scotland's chief - the deputy's position has been scrapped.

Previously there was one deputy, responsible for operations and community safety, and two assistants, who oversaw corporate services, personnel and training and development.

Under the restructure there will be three assistants. One will be responsible for service delivery, another corporate services and the third personnel, training and development.

Commenting on the changes, Mr Allaway said: "These changes will provide a logical and effective structure for the FRS and facilitate a consistent approach to organisational management.

"It would also reduce the management layers in terms of the hierarchy by one layer.

"This should, in turn, facilitate improved communications and responsibility lines resulting in enhanced motivation for the members of staff concerned."

THE FACTS

The pay rise will make Brian Allaway Scotland's second top-earning fire chief.

Scotland's highest earning chief is in charge of the Strathclyde fire service, with a salary of 132,225. In Grampian and Tayside, the post carries a salary of 101,359 with 95,343 in Central, 92,463 in Fife and 87,212 in Dumfries and Galloway.

It also makes him one of the city's top public sector earners and closes the gap on Paddy Tomkins, chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police, who earns 124,656.

But it is dwarfed by the chief executive of Edinburgh City Council, Tom Aitchison, who earns 147,231.