The highest-paid council officials in Wales revealed

THE top nine council officials in Wales are paid more than £1.8m between them.

The highest paid during 2019-20 was Cardiff council’s chief executive, Paul Orders, who received a total of £222,822 in salaries, pensions and expenses.

Wales has 22 councils and figures from the from Taxpayers Alliance show that 153 staff across those councils receive more than £100,000 when their salary, pension and expenses are taken into account.

The 153 members of staff receiving more than £100,000 in 2019-20 is up from 139 the previous financial year (2018-19).

The average number of employees who received more than £100,000 in total remuneration per local authority is seven. The average number receiving over £150,000 is 1.7 employees per council.

According to the Taxpayers Alliance, the council in Wales with the most staff paid over £100,000 in 2019-20 was Swansea council with 17.

Across the UK, the council with the most employees on six-figure wage packets is Essex with 40.

Essex council has an population of 1.5m. The highest-paid council official in the UK was Coventry council’s boss who got £573,660 in total remuneration (this included a £395,000 loss of office payment).

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers facing huge and hated council tax rises want to know they are getting value for money from their local authority leadership.

“At the onset of the coronavirus crisis, thousands of town hall officials were taking home huge sums. While councils were plunged into tackling the pandemic, many staff will have more than earned their keep, but households have nevertheless struggled with enormous and unpopular council tax rises.

“These figures shine a light on th e town hall bosses who’ve got it right, and will enable residents to hold those who aren’t delivering value for money to account.”

A spokesperson for the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said: “The Taxpayers’ Alliance’s latest attack on council workers is ill-timed and inaccurate.

“Countless dedicated council staff have been working all hours over the last year to respond to the deadly Covid-19 outbreak, with senior officers being instrumental in coordinating the local national response.

“It is deeply regretful that the TPA’s sole priority at this time of extended crisis is to vilify a section of dedicated workers who are doing all they can to help to halt the spread of the virus and protect lives.

“Councils in Wales are committed to meeting the senior pay transparency guidance produced by Welsh Government in addition to needing to refer any changes in Chief Officer pay to the Independent Remuneration Panel for approval.

“All produce pay policy statements which are fully published and can be found on local authorities’ websites.

“These are a far and more accurate reflection of salaries in councils than set out in the TPA’s report.”

“This year more than ever we have seen the importance of our essential local services, and Council Tax is a vital revenue stream to help fund them. All councils will use their local discretion to set their Council Tax levels, in line with local needs and circumstances.

“However, local authorities also recognise that many families have been hard hit by the pandemic.

“Councils have strived to keep any increases as low as possible whilst continuing to maintain our local services which continue to enhance, support and protect so many lives.”