TAXPAYERS are footing a £16m bill for temporary Southend Council staff with one interim worker said to be earning £1,000 a day.

Southend’s full council last week heard the council’s wage bill exceeds revenue from council tax.

The debate came before Southend Council approved its budget plan for the year. 

Tory Group leader, Tony Cox, said millions was being wasted with £200,000 spent hiring barristers to “investigate complaints such as the liking of Facebook posts”.

In addition Mr Cox said budget papers show £11 million was spent on consultants, “including £80,000 on consultants to advise them on how to save money and £18,000 on consultants to tell them the future of bowling greens”.

In addition more than £4.5million was spent on on agency staff.

Mr Cox added: “In fact, we know that there are 96 agency staff earning over £300 a day. At least one agency staff member is on nearly £1,000 per day and at least another was on £800 a day for 2.5 years.

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"Is it any wonder that we were warned by the administration late last year that stringent cutbacks were needed to avoid bankruptcy.”

Ron Woodley, Residents First councillor for Thorpe ward also criticised the cost of temporary staff.

He said: “We are spending more on their advice than ever before— but where is the evidence of the benefit of this advice? Is it value for money?

"This is not being efficient, not being effective and certainly not reducing waste or duplication."