REVEALED: Top earners at your local councils paid £2.5 million

Council top brass in Shropshire and Mid Wales received more than £2.5 million in pay and other benefits in the last 12 months, new figures reveal.

The Taxpayers’ Alliance’s annual “Council Rich List” revealed the pay and benefits of all local council employees who were paid more than £100,000 during the 2016/17 financial year.

Powys County Council proved to be the biggest payer in the region, with its eight highest-paid executives receiving more than £1.17 million between them. But much of this was due to severance payments.

The highest basic salary in the region went to Jeremy Patterson, chief executive of Powys County Council, whose £154,000 salary was higher than that of the Prime Minister.

Mr Patterson also benefited from £35,000 in pension contributions, taking his total package to £189,000. Theresa May is paid £150,405.

Richard Partington, managing director of Telford & Wrekin Council, was the second highest earner, with a basic salary of £138,370, rising to £155,160 when pension contributions are taken into account.

Shropshire Council’s chief executive Clive Wright came third in the area, with a basic salary of £124,976, a pension contribution of £17,209, and other payments of £2,500. His total package amounted to £144, 685.

Overall, Telford & Wrekin had four officers picking up more than £100,000 a year, at a cost of £508,836.

Seven of Shropshire Council’s officers received six-figure sums, costing the taxpayer £823,426.

The authority's director of public health received £115,930, made up of a basic salary of £101,426 and pension contributions of £115,930.

Director of adult services picked up £113,419, made up of a £99,929 basic salary, and £13,490 pension contributions.

Director of children's services and head of legal and democratic services received the same package.

Shropshire's head of finance, governance and assurance, received £110,567, made up of a £97,416 basic salary and £13,151 pension contribution.

Apart from Mr Partington, Telford & Wrekin’s other main earners were director of customer and neighbourhood wellbeing, and the director of children’s and adult services, who each received £110,696 basic and £13,948 pension contributions, taking their total package to £124,644.

The interim assistant director of early help and support received a basic salary of £31,657, but a £72,731 payment as compensation for loss of office, taking the total amount received to £104,388.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said the average council tax bill had risen by more than £900 over the past 20 years, while spending had gone through the roof.

"Disappointingly, many local authorities are now responding to financial reality through further tax rises and reducing services rather than scaling back top pay," he said.

"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."