Council bosses are taking home more than £1 million a year, according to data from the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
The figures show that the top nine earners in the council make over three times more than the average full time worker in the area, with five of them earning more than £120,000 per year.
Peter Bungard, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire County Council, is the highest paid council member, and one of the top ten in the area, earning £131,036 between 2016-17.
The council’s top staff collectively earn around £150,000 more than any other council in the region, with Bristol City Council coming in second, splitting over £850,000 between its highest paid staff.
“It is important that we are able to attract and retain motivated and capable people at all levels.”
Gloucestershire County Council’s Director of Strategic Finance, Jo Walker, said: “The figures in our statement of accounts include employer’s pension contributions as well as salary paid to the employees and reflects the fact that the Chief Executive works reduced hours.
“The Council delivers a wide range of critical services that make a real difference to people’s lives including social care for our most vulnerable people across the county. It is important that we are able to attract and retain motivated and capable people at all levels. This means we need to balance paying market competitive salaries with responsible management of public money.”
These figures show that Mr Bungard’s salary has dropped from £142,424 in 2015-16, which, according to Ms Walker, ‘reflects the fact that the Chief Executive works reduced hours.’ The council also said Mr Bungard hasn’t received any pension contributions for the last year.
The council has already faced criticism over its gender pay gap, with male employees being paid an average of 8.9% more than females, despite the fact that females make up more than half of the workforce and around three quarters of the top roles.
The council has said that it’s committed to its policy of providing equal opportunities and pay.
Nationally, there were at least 2,306 council employees who received total remuneration in excess of £100,000. This is 60 fewer than the previous year.
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 twenty years and spending has 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. 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 pay-outs for those leaving their jobs despite a £95,000 cap passed by the last government.”
