A clear-out of Powys County Council staff has been called for after one taxpayer discovered 1,285 employees are paid annual salaries of more than £30,000.

Kenny Thain, of Forge, Machynlleth, said he is tired of putting up with “deteriorating services” and “extortionate”‘ increases in council tax.

Mr Thain submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the council to find out how many of its employees are paid starting salaries over £30,000.

And he was staggered to find out nearly 1,300 people earn that much, compared to the UK average annual wage of about £24,000.

Mr Thain’s results showed Mark Kerr, council chief executive, is earning in the salary range of £117,854 to £125,981 a year, while two executive directors are being paid between £94,277 and £107,086 a year.Mr Thain said: “Living here in Powys is being made really miserable by the actions of the county council.

“Our street lights have gone out, schools have been closed and public services such as local bus routes are either being ended or curtailed all in the interest of supposedly saving cash.

“May I respectfully remind the council that if they did an in-house clear-out of the growing gold-plated bureaucracy and silly money wages paid to itself, this would save millions of pounds.

“Then us council tax payers wouldn’t have to suffer due to the various deteriorating services and extortionate, ever-increasing levels of council tax.”

The answer to Mr Thain’s request also showed nine heads of departments are being paid up to £82,492 per year, while 10 school improvement officers are paid a starting salary of £47,814 per year.

John Evans, council communications manager, said the council, which employs more than 8,000 people and is the largest employer in Powys, had to pay good salaries to attract good people.

Mr Evans said: “Salaries for senior officers reflect national trends, but, in fact, for many posts Powys pays less than comparable councils.

“Salaries reflect the responsibilities, qualifications and experience required to carry the role within the authority.”