THE Lib Dem Councillor now in charge of County Hall finance has denied a Tory claim that he intends to cut executive pay at County Hall by 15per cent.

Cllr Peter Dickenson made the statement during this week's Cabinet meeting and was immediately described as being in bad taste by Cabinet post holder Cllr Gill Taylor, with so many of the officers in the room.

Finance portfolio holder Cllr Simon Clifford (Chickerell) denied that he has ever said anything even similar to Cllr Dickenson's allegation, adding that there was no suggestion of a cut in pay in any report, or from anything he had said.

Dorset Council has been identified by the Taxpayers Alliance as having more senior officers on over £100,000 a year than any other South West council.

The council's own figures, published in February, show chief executive Matt Prosser earning £185,000 with five executive directors on between £134,112 and £150,628 and 19 corporate directors on between £95,577 and £123,103 –although some of these roles are for Public Health Dorset which works for both Dorset Council and BCP Council.

The Cabinet meeting saw another spat over finance when Cllr Clifford claimed the former Tory administration had left office in May with no plan in place to deal with a £50million projected shortfall within five years and little or no detail on a £8m-plus project to transform council services to save money.

The man who previously held Cllr Clifford's position, Swanage councillor Gary Suttle, refuted the claims, telling Cllr Clifford: "It's just not fair, and you know it."

He said the previous administration had left council finances in a robust condition with significant reserves the authority could fall back on.

"I really don't envy you the task…. I want you to succeed, we all want you to succeed. Not for party, not for politics, but for the people of Dorset," said Cllr Suttle.

The meeting unanimously approved taking £2million from reserves to reinstate a fund to help residents in financial hardship, one of the Lib Dem election pledges.

Council leader Nick Ireland said he expected to continue with the funding in future years as a budgeted item, rather than taking money from reserves, although the amount might change, depending on need at the time.

A council spokesperson speaking on pay said: "We are committed to being open, accessible and accountable and we are transparent about our salary costs.

"Councillors set senior officer salaries having bench marked them against other similar sized authorities. Terms and conditions are set nationally, and annual cost of living pay increases are negotiated nationally too.

"Our senior officers play a very important role in leading our organisation through significant times of change, and ensuring we deliver critical services to our residents."