Fat cats lap up cash
We name NINE inside
Nine Ayrshire council employees have raked in pay packets in excess of £ 100,000 during the last year.
Officials in the South and East of the county have had their wages laid bare in the latest ‘ Town Hall Rich List’.
Compiled by the Taxpayers’ Alliance, the list names those earning six figure cheques.
And their latest data reveals that South Ayrshire chief executive, Eileen Howat, was highest paid for 2018- 19 on £ 155,189.
Her basic salary of £ 130,089 was topped up by pension contributions of £ 25,100.
In East Ayrshire, their chief executive Fiona Lees earned £ 152,214.
A basic salary of £ 127,589 was boosted by a pension payment of £ 24,625.
Between them, Ayrshire’s nine highest earners were paid more than £ 1.2 million.
The figures have drawn criticism from the Alliance who say now, more than ever, taxpayers require “value for money”.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “There are plenty of talented people in local authorities who are focused on delivering more for less, but that is needed across the board.
“These figures should shine a light on the town hall bosses who’ve got it right, but also allow taxpayers to hold to account those who aren’t delivering value for money at this critical time.”
A spokesman for South Ayrshire Council insisted having the top team in place was crucial to delivering services.
He said: “Like all organisations, it’s important that we have the right leadership in place, to ensure we continue to deliver quality services to our residents.
“Salaries for council chief executives across Scotland are set by COSLA as part of a national collective agreement; while salaries for our directors are determined with reference to the Chief Executive’s salary and the duties and responsibilities of these posts.
“We will continue to review our management structure, to ensure best value for the people of South Ayrshire.
“The remuneration of our senior employees is openly publicised in our annual accounts, which are available on our website.”
Alex McPhee, Depute Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer for East Ayrshire Council, added: “Chief Officer remuneration and pay scales are set nationally and are entirely consistent with Chief Officer posts in other Scottish local authorities.
“We are completely transparent with what our Chief Officers earn and their salaries have always been a matter of public record, openly published on our website.
“In East Ayrshire, the number of Chief Officer posts has been reduced significantly over the years and the salaries reflect the wide and complex range of very significant financial, managerial and legal responsibilities undertaken by our officers.
“They lead an organisation which employs over 6,000 people, with assets of £ 1 billion, annual expenditure in excess of £ 600 million and consistently complimentary Best Value reports from Audit Scotland.”