Southwark Council’s hefty £31 million expenditure on consultants sparks outrage among residents and local leaders alike
South London: So, Southwark Council has really stirred the pot by spending a whopping £31 million on consultants and agency staff in just under 10 months. That’s £6.2 million more than last year! Can you believe it?
The Southwark Liberal Democrats dug up these figures, showing that £2 million alone went to consultants since April 2024. That’s an extra £300,000 compared to the same time last year. The rest? A staggering £29 million on temporary staff. Talk about a pricey way to fill roles!
Councillor Victor Chamberlain, the Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader, didn’t hold back. He called the spending on consultants a total waste, especially when families are struggling. He believes the council should focus on frontline services instead of throwing money at consultants.
On the flip side, Cllr Stephanie Cryan, who’s in charge of Equalities, Democracy, and Finance, defended the spending. She argued that sometimes you need outside help for specific projects. She reassured everyone that they’re working to hire more permanent staff and keep costs down.
Most of the increase in consultancy spending is linked to a new finance and HR system the council is rolling out. But the Liberal Democrats also pointed out that consultants have been brought in for the Southwark 2030 plan, which aims to shape the borough’s future with community input.
Cllr Kieron Williams, the Labour Leader, described Southwark 2030 as a shared vision for a better community. But it’s not all rosy; the council has also consulted on school closures, with four schools shutting down in just two years due to falling student numbers.
