Mayor Campbell’s £1.2m Recruitment Fiasco: A "Chaotic and Costly" Waste of Taxpayer Cash

The East Riding Liberal Democrats are demanding answers after it was revealed that Mayor Luke Campbell has blown over £1.1 million on recruitment consultants, yet has failed to secure a permanent leadership team for the Combined Authority.

​Despite a staggering spend of £1,177,159 on outside agencies, the Mayor’s office remains in a state of flux. While nine executive roles, boasting salaries between £110,000 and £170,000; were advertised late last year, the public is still waiting for news of any confirmed appointments.

​High Salaries, Zero Results

​The scale of the proposed payroll is eye-watering. The taxpayer is expected to foot the bill for a suite of high-level executives, including:

​Chief Executive: £170,000

​Director of Legal Office: £150,000

​Director of Finance: £150,000

​Director of Strategy: £145,000

​Five Senior Directors: £110,000 each

​The recruitment process has dragged on since February. The post of Director of Finance alone has seen three separate interview sessions across February and March, yet the seat remains empty. This follows a failed attempt to appoint a permanent Chief Executive last year; despite 27 applications, the process collapsed over contractual disagreements.

​Currently, the authority is being steered by an interim CEO at a cost of £160,000 per annum, while the Mayor continues to shuffle through a rotating door of eight different specialist recruitment firms.

A Pattern of Poor Judgement

​Cllr Denis Healy, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on East Riding of Yorkshire Council, has slammed the Mayor’s handling of the situation and his lack of fiscal responsibility, labeling the process an affront to hardworking residents. 

​“It beggars belief that Luke Campbell can spend almost £1.2m of public money on recruitment consultants while failing to appoint the senior leadership team the combined authority so desperately needs." 

“Taxpayers are footing the bill for a recruitment process that appears chaotic, costly, and completely lacking in transparency. These aren’t teething problems, but a pattern of poor judgement and failed execution.” Cllr Denis Healy

The Liberal Democrats are questioning why it was necessary to engage nearly a dozen different agencies to fill nine roles, and whether this represents any semblance of "value for money" for the local taxpayer.

​Missing in Action?

​The recruitment crisis is only half the story.

 Concerns are mounting over the Mayor’s absence from the national stage. Reports from the Yorkshire Post, backed by comments from Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey and local councillors, suggest Mayor Campbell has been "Missing in Action."

​From snubbing meetings with government ministers to failing to attend vital mayoral council gatherings, the Mayor’s lack of engagement is leaving East Yorkshire without a voice at the table.

“As Mayor, Luke Campbell is expected to be our voice at the national level. Instead, we see a pattern of absence and failure. It's difficult to avoid the conclusion that the people of Hull and East Yorkshire deserve better than this.” Cllr Denis Healy 

​The Liberal Democrat View

​The East Riding Liberal Democrats believe in accountability and value for money. We are calling for an immediate review into why eight different agencies were required and why, after three months of interviews, the Mayor’s "Executive Team" exists only on paper.

​Our residents pay their council tax expecting services and delivery, not a £1.2 million bill for a botched HR exercise.

"Almost one year on from the mayoral election, it’s difficult to avoid the conclusion that the people of Hull and East Yorkshire deserve better than this. We need leadership that shows up, not a Mayor who wastes millions while failing to get the basics right.” Cllr Denis Healy