Kent Messenger: Top council earners revealed - well some of them at least

by political editor Paul Francis

Kent County Council has blocked details of the salaries of its most senior staff but some of the top earning officers in other local authorities have been revealed.

The Taxpayers' Alliance has today published the results of a second survey of local councils highlighting the highest paid local government officials across the country.

But details of the salaries of the 16 officers at County Hall who earn more than £100,000 have not been included after the council's chief executive Peter Gilroy blocked the disclosure of their names.

Mr Gilroy's own salary resulted in him being identified as the country's best paid chief executive in the same survey by the TPA last year.

The decision has prompted the TPA to name the county council as one of five to have produced "the most ludicrous local authority excuses for withholding information".

While Kent County Council attracted criticism for its stance, which it said was because of the public abuse officials received last year, it was not the only authority in Kent to partially or fully reject the requests for salary details.

However, Maidstone Council revealed that its chief executive David Petford earned £110,407 in 2006-2007 while Tonbridge and Malling chief executive David Hughes earned £106,544. Tunbridge Wells did not name their chief executive in its response to the survey but confirmed earnings of £134,265.

In Medway, three officers were identified as earning more than £100,000. They were chief executive Neil Davies (£117,00); Ann Windiate (£113,814); Rose Collinson (£100,353). Judith Armitt, the former chief executive was included in the four but details of her redundancy package were withheld.

In Ashford, chief executive David Hill is identified as earning £109,014.

Both Thanet District Council and Gravesham council did not respond to Freedom of Information requests. Dover provided salary details of one officer paid more than £100,000 but refused to say who it was or what the position was.

Comments

[Maria]

Who sets the salaries of MP's? It's a disgrace that they are paid so much. We really need to get back to accountability in government. If the unemployed are being targeted to save taxpayers money, not to mention those who are claiming for a disability, why shouldn't MP's pay come under scrutiny and paring. For far too long MP's have been paid far above their worth, in many cases. In the House of Commons each Friday, you can count on one hand the amount of MP's attending.

I well remember Manny Shinwell being interviewed on T.V., about 20 years ago, on the subject, and when asked why MP's did not seem to care about the people any more, his comments were 'no they don't, it's just a good career move'.

What ever happened to the idea of servanthood, they are after all Civil Servants. Bring back accountability!!!!