QUESTIONS are being asked about the future of Wirral Council leader's executive policy officer.

The temporary position was created this time last year as additional resource to help develop strategy with Labour boss Cllr Phil Davies.

At the time the authority came under fire for recruiting PR consultant Martin Liptrot - with Tory leader Cllr Jeff Green describing the role as "a waste of taxpayers' cash."

Councillor Green says the contract for the £45,000 job was supposed to expire in July - but was extended by 90 days to September 30.

Now with the deadline approaching he has written to the Labour leader and the town hall chief executive saying "it is about time the position was scrapped."

He said: "The policy adviser job was created at a time when Cllr Davies was chairman of the city region combined authority as well as being leader of Wirral Council.

"He stepped down from the combined authority leadership in December - so naturally it should follow that this role is no longer required.

"Councillor Davies has two deputies, seven cabinet members, 20 'pledge champions' and a whole tier of senior managers as well as a chief executive to help him.

"Just how many advisers does Labour need?"

He added: "The council is currently making staff redundant, forcing them to take unpaid leave and even cutting some salaries.

"Against that background maintaining this post seems questionable to say the least and it is about time the position was scrapped."

The Globe asked the local authority to respond to Cllr Green's criticisms but a spokesman would only say: "It would be entirely inappropriate for the council to comment on the employment or contractual situation of any individual."

However this time last year a spokesman told us: "It is not at all unusual for a council leader to have dedicated support in relation to policy development and is in fact not uncommon practice in local authorities around the UK.

“The leader of Wirral Council has significant additional responsibilities in his role as chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and chair of the emerging Wirral Partnership.

"Both of these areas will bring potentially huge benefits to residents, businesses and communities throughout Wirral and, as such, it is entirely appropriate that this additional resource and support is provided."

The representative added: “This is a new, temporary appointment to provide additional policy resource which will be kept under review.

"It is funded through existing resources with the post reporting directly to the senior management within the council as part of the existing close working arrangements with the leader."