Local government defends executive pay levels
0Council representatives have hit back at this year’s “town hall rich list” published by the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
The right-wing pressure group published figures showing that in 2017-18, at least 2,454 council employees earning more than £100,000 a year.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Despite many in the public sector facing a much-needed pay freeze to help bring the public finances under control, many town hall bosses are continuing to pocket huge remuneration packages, with staggering pay-outs for those leaving their jobs.”
But Graeme McDonald, managing director of Solace, the professional association for local government chief executives and senior managers, said: “The Taxpayers’ Alliance’s (TPA) own data shows that the number of council employees who earn £100,000 or more has reduced by 30% since 2015, so any suggestion that council pay is out of control is simply not true.
“Council chief executives and senior managers are responsible for delivering a variety of highly complex services, including those which are of profound importance to the most vulnerable people in society.”
And a spokesperson for the County Councils Network said: “Given the importance of the services these councils provide, they need to be able to attract the right people, with the right skills. Levels of senior pay are decided by democratically elected politicians in an open and transparent manner.”
