Five council chiefs earn over £100,000

TaxPayers’Alliance list unveils bumper pay packets

13.04.2018 New figures show there are five members of staff at Renfrewshire Council earning more than £100,000.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance has released its 11th Town Hall Rich List, which details the full salary and expenses of all council employees earning more than £100,000.

In Renfrewshire, there are five pocketing bumper pay packets, with chief executive Sandra Black earning £138,814. The four directors of services all receive £112,779.

In Scotland, the local authority with the most employees who received more than £100,000 was North Lanarkshire, with 18.

The council worker earning the most in Scotland is Edinburgh City Council’s finance director who took home a whopping £563,862.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “The average council tax bill has gone up by more than £900 over the last 20 years and spending has gone through the roof.

“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 payouts for those leaving their jobs despite a £95,000 cap passed by the last government.

“There are talented people in the public sector who are trying to deliver more for less, but the sheer scale of these packages raise serious questions about efficiency and priorities.”

A spokesman for Renfrewshire Council said: “Best value is at the heart of all council decision making and our sound financial management has been highlighted in a 2017 Audit Scotland report.

“The Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee ( SJNC) for Local Authority Services sets the salary scales for the chief executives of Scottish local authorities and salaries of all senior staff are published in the publically available annual accounts.

“Remuneration includes pension contributions which are required by law and the salary of senior employees is set by reference to national arrangements.

“The council does not pay bonuses to senior employees.”