Leadership and expenses

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The Chief Executive
The Chief Executive is the senior officer who leads and takes responsibility for the work of the paid staff of London Councils. The role of Chief Executive is a full time appointment. Post holders are selected on merit, against objective criteria, following public advertisement. They are appointed by a cross party panel of members.

As head of the paid service, the Chief Executive works to deliver:

  • leadership: to ensure strong and visible leadership and direction across all the activities of the organisation and to then hold senior managers to account for delivery of key organisational objectives
  • strategic direction: ensuring all staff understand and adhere to the strategic aims of the organisation and follow the direction set by the Executive and Leaders' Committee
  • policy advice: acting as the principal policy adviser to the Executive and Leaders’ Committee to lead the development of a coherent and integrated approach to how London Councils develops and communicates it ideas and arguments on behalf of London boroughs
  • partnerships: leading and developing strong partnerships across the local government family and London's regional governance to achieve improved outcomes and better public services for Londoners. The Chief Executive works closely with London borough Leaders and Chief Executives, other public service leaders (e.g. police and health), the GLA, national government and private and third sector partners
  • operational management: overseeing financial and performance management, risk management, people management and change management within the organisation.

Corporate Management Board
The Corporate Management Board coordinates the activities of the organisation and formulates overall advice for elected members on the potential implications of various political and operational decisions.  

Senior Staff
By law, senior staff are not allowed to participate in any party political activity and are expected to advise and assist all elected members irrespective of their political affiliation. See our page on senior staff salaries.

Expenses
Local government employees are able to reclaim a restricted range of legitimate expenses, including travel. Expenses are paid only for actual costs incurred and evidence of expenditure is required.

Pensions
The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) covers London Councils' employees. The LGPS is a contributory scheme; employees are placed in contributory bands depending on their level of pay. Members of the Corporate Management Board contribute 7.5 per cent of their salary towards their pension. Employees are liable to pay income tax on their pension contributions, the level of tax being related to the individual's level of pay. London Councils makes employers' contributions to the LGPS. The amount which is paid varies depending upon how much is needed to ensure benefits under the scheme are adequately funded. This amount is set independently by the pension fund's actuary. The LPGS is what is known as a final salary pension scheme. This means that staff receive a proportion of their final salary as a pension benefit based on the period of time which they have contributed to the scheme. The pension is taxable but any retiring allowance (lump sum) is tax-free. The rules governing the pension scheme are contained in regulations made by Parliament. Further information about the scheme can be found on www.lgps.org.uk.

Registers of gifts and hospitality
Recent registers of gifts and hospitality are available to download below. These datasets are licensed for reuse under the Open Government Licence.