William Eichler 19 April 2023

Number of council staff earning over £100k down post-pandemic

Number of council staff earning over £100k down post-pandemic   image
Image: enciktepstudio / Shutterstock.com.

The number of council staff receiving more than £100,000 is nearly at 2,800, according to campaigners, which is down slightly from last year.

The latest Town Hall Rich List from the Taxpayers’ Alliance shows that the number of council staff receiving more than £100,000 stood at 2,759, of which 721 received more than £150,000.

Last year, the group found that the number of staff receiving over £100,000 had increased during the pandemic by 119 to at least 2,921. This was the most since 2013-14.

The average number of employees who received £100,000 or more in total remuneration was 7.9 per local authority, according to the report. The average number receiving £150,000 or more was 2.1 employees per local authority.

Of the 10 local authorities with the most employees receiving over £100,000, eight were in London.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: ‘Taxpayers facing record council tax rises want to be sure they are getting value for money from their local authority leadership.

‘Many authorities continue with extremely generous pay and perks, including bonuses and golden goodbyes, while local people are facing a financial squeeze.’

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA) said: ‘Councils are large, complex organisations with sizable budgets and responsibility for more than 1,300 different statutory duties and responsibilities that make a huge difference to people’s lives. It is important that the right people with the right skills and experience are retained to deliver this important work.’

‘Senior pay is always decided by democratically elected councillors in an open and transparent way,’ they added.

The local authority with the greatest number of employees receiving total remuneration over £100,000 was Westminster, with 50 employees.

The highest remunerated council employee was the managing director of Guildford council, receiving £607,633 in total remuneration. This included pension contributions of £339,158, £154,240 compensation for loss of office, a salary of £107,195 and a £5,688 in benefits.

The local authority to pay out the highest amount in terms of bonuses and performance related pay to a senior employee was Newcastle Upon Tyne council, with their director of public health receiving a £36,192 bonus.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of People

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. County hall
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Director of Strategy and Transformation

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. Preston, Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Care and Support Assistant -Longlands

West Northamptonshire Council
13.52ph
About the role We are looking for a dedicated Care and Support Worker to join our team at Longlands Care Home in Daventry. In this rewarding role, you will provide compassionate, person-centred care to older people and those living with dementia, includin Daventry
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Social Worker - Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£38,220 - £40,777
Looking to appoint as a Level 2 or Level 3 Social Worker. Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Linkedin Banner