With Eric Pickles, scourge of council pay and pensions, now installed as the new communities and local government secretary, the chief executives' ‘union' ALACE could find its services in hot demand. Michael Burton talks to its chair, the chief executive of Southend-on-Sea Council, Rob Tinlin.

While salaries are being driven down and top pensions face being capped, there is also the impact of a 50% tax rate on £150,000-plus salaries, and even the possible end of higher-rate tax relief for pension contributions.

Many chiefs will be turning to their ‘union' – the