The leader of Northumberland County Council has moved to reassure staff after he was criticised by a leading union over comments made in relation to staffing costs.
UNISON branded Coun Glen Sanderson's comments "wholly unacceptable" after the leader said he was looking to shave off around £1 million from the council's wage bill.
Coun Sanderson was speaking after figures revealed that the council pays 20 high-up employees more than £100,000 a year - the highest of any council in the North East.