PM lags behind county’s chief executive on pay
John Sinnott took home £191,000 last year
THE BOSS of cash-strapped Leicestershire County Council earns £50,000 more than the country’s leader.
John Sinnott, chief executive of the authority, received £191,000 last year, almost a third more than PM Theresa May.
The next highest paid official, was the director of the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation, a purchasing consortium involving seven top-tier councils.
He took home £129,000 before tax.
In total nine senior officers at County Hall earnt more than £100,000 during 2015/16.
The lowest paid senior officer is the head of planning at £65,000.
By contrast the Prime Minister has a pay packet of £140,000.
County council leader Nick Rushton said: “Our experienced officers - who earn comparable amounts to those at other equivalent authorities - have more than paid their way, by delivering £161 million savings and developing plans to deliver £66 million more.”
Latest figures for 2017/18 pay for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council shows new chief executive Bill Cullen is on £110,000 - despite a recent committee agenda citing £111,100.
Mr Cullen was named ‘heir presumptive’ last year with news former head Steven Atkinson was leaving but his official tenure did not begin until January 1.
Three senior directors reporting to Mr Cullen will each earn £75,000 and make up a streamlined hierarchy which has saved the borough money.
Instead of a top tier of chief executive, two deputies and directors beneath, the new structure consists of Mr Cullen and three directors for community services, corporate services and environmental planning.
Leader of the council, Mike Hall, said: “The changes we have made with Steve retiring have resulted in savings of £270,000 overall on senior management salaries.
“Bill’s salary is also less than Steve’s so the differential between posts has decreased. I think we are doing things right.”
The starting level for a worker at the borough council is £15,014, however, this sum is being increased from £7.78 per hour £8.19 an hour amounting to £15,807.
This is above the National Liv- ing Wage rate which is currently £7.50 per hour.
Median gross pay for the borough is £21,268.