09.04.19
Town hall ‘rich list’ reveals thousands of council workers are earning over £100,000
The number of council workers earning over £100,000 a year has reached almost 2,500, according to a new ‘town hall rich list’.
The Taxpayers’ Alliance has compiled the rich list that, against a back drop of sweeping local government cuts, described how more than 600 council employees earnt more than the prime minister last year.
It found that 2,454 council staff received remuneration packages worth more than £100,000 in 2017-18, which is the highest figure since 2013-14, and of the highest earners 608 were paid more than £150,000.
The highest-paid council worker on the list was the interim chief executive of Slough Borough Council, Roger Parkin, who received a £113,000 salary, a £340,000 pension and more than £140,000 in compensation following his departure in 2017, totalling £595,000.
Compensation payments represented a large chunk of the payments, with nine pay-outs of more than £150,000, and Northumberland council paying out £369,999 in compensation and legal fees after its chief executive left in 2017.
Essex Council has the most high-earning employees, with 55 of its staff earning more than £100,000.
The Taxpayers’ Alliance did praise some local government leaders for managing to maintain services and performing well in “tough financial times.”
“There are many reports of residents seeing no difference in the services they receive despite the necessary savings being made.
“However, the town hall rich list also showcases the executives who have overseen failing departments or received bumper pay-offs after poor performance in the job.”
Chief executive John O’Connell commented: “Disappointingly, many local authorities are now responding to financial reality through further tax rises and reducing services rather than scaling back top pay.
“There are talented people in the public sector who are trying to deliver more for less but the sheer scale of these packages raise serious questions about efficiency and priorities.”
The LGA said senior pay was always decided democratically in an open transparent way, whilst the County Council Network also defended the levels of senior pay as, given the importance of council services, “they need to be able to attract the right people.”
Graeme McDonald, the managing director of Solace, said: “Any suggestion that council pay is out of control is simply not true” as its own data shows the number of council employees earning over £100,000 has reduced by 30% since 2015.
“It is crucial councils have good quality people to deliver good quality public services, especially in these extremely challenging times for local government.”
Image credit - MarioGuti