Council job 'cost extra �150,000'

The council said Mr Duncan had attracted about �800,000 in grants

A council has been criticised for paying an agency £200,000 for its transport chief despite the post's salary only being £50,000.

James Duncan makes a weekly commute from Scotland to carry out the job at Bournemouth council in Dorset.

The post comes with a salary of £50,603 but he is employed through agency Penna plc which charged £206,000 between January 29, 2008 and 1 February, 2009.

The Conservative-run council has argued Mr Duncan is "value for money".

It said he has attracted about £800,000 in extra grants and saved about £80,000 in renegotiating a bus contract.

Mike Holmes, planning and transport director for the council, said: "Certainly hindsight gives you 20/20 vision.

As council tax bills rise again, all local authorities should ensure the taxpayer is getting good value for money

Caroline Spelman MP, shadow local government minister

"At the time it was the best thing to do and over the year it has proved to be a good value project to be involved in.

"But obviously we will want to move forward in a different way."

Mr Duncan, the transportation services manager, was meant to be a temporary employee after the council failed to fill the post but he has been there for 14 months.

The agency deal was uncovered through a Freedom of Information Act request and comes after the council said 20 people have been asked to re-apply for their posts.

Councillor Richard Smith, from the Liberal Democrats, said: "I find it incredible, it is after all public funds.

"The council is also talking about appointing a further executive director with a salary in the region of £100,000.

"But they won't spend a few thousand pounds to provide free swimming to the under-16s and the over-60s which was mainly funded by the government."

Susie Squire of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: "We are in the grip of a recession and Bournemouth Council should be doing all it can to deliver savings to taxpayers, not fritter away their money in this cavalier fashion.

"Some serious questions need to be asked about the hiring practices of Bournemouth Council."

Conservative MP Caroline Spelman, shadow local government minister, said: "As council tax bills rise again, all local authorities should ensure the taxpayer is getting good value for money."