Should council officers earn more than £100,000 a year?

A report by the Taxpayers Alliance revealed Chief Executive Neil Jack had a basic salary of £136,549 in 2016/17 with an overall package of £154,378.

And Steve Thompson, Director of Resources, had a basic salary of £93,856 with an overall package of £106,544 – although his basic salary has risen since the end of that financial year. The Alliance said Mr Jack and five other officers had packages of more than £100,000 although one directorship – director of people has since been scrapped.

It created a “fatcat rich list” of 45 top council executives in Lancashire who enjoyed bumper salary packages of more than £100,000 in 2016/17 – at a time of pay freezes, staff and service cuts.

Council leader Simon Blackburn said: “The pay grade for anyone earning £50,000 or more is available on the council website and has been for a number of years.

“As of April 2018 there are only two officers whose basic pay is more than £100,000. The number of chief officers has reduced dramatically since we came to power in 2011 from 35 to nine.

“However, we are constantly reviewing our staffing structures to ensure that we are able to attract and retain the right staff who can deliver council services effectively, this means setting appropriate rates of pay.”

In Lancashire, former county council chief executive Jo Turton topped the list with a total package of £198,685 and basic salary of £171,745 with a pension contribution of £21,640.

Fylde Chief Executive Allan Oldfield had a basic salary of £97,000 and with pension contribution of £109,000.

Wyre’s Chief Executive Garry Payne had a basic salary of £103,945 and a total package of £117,528.