Bexley Councillor Gareth Bacon has defended his role as London's highest paid councillor after it was reported he earns £108,000 a year from his four local government positions.

London Mayor Boris Johnson appointed Coun Bacon as chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority earlier this month, a post which pays £26,000 per annum.

Coun Bacon defended his reported salary of £108,000 to the Evening Standard yesterday (Feb 25) and said:"“In 2008 I wasn’t expected to be elected [to the Assembly], and didn’t think I’d serve more than four years, so I maintained my commercial concerns at that time.

"I was also a cabinet member in Bexley.

"With good diary management I was able to devote enough time to each of them.

"However, I was working a lot, so after the [2012 Assembly] election I decided to let the private sector go.

"Now all my time will be spent on my public sector roles.”

Coun Bacon will take up his chairmanship of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority on March 27.

 

The father-of-one also sits on the London Assembly and is a cabinet member for finance and corporate services at Bexley Council as well as being deputy leader.

Coun Bacon, who represents the Longlands Ward, told the Evening Standard he would give up his deputy leadership role and his cabinet position at Bexley if he struggles to manage everything.

Coun Bacon was elected to Bexley Council in 1998 and was Conservative candidate for the GLA constituency of Greenwich and Lewisham in 2004. 

News Shopper has contacted Coun Bacon for a comment.

Are you a Bexley resident? What do you think? Call 01689 885 721 or email hwood@london.newsquest.co.uk