Preston Citizen: Chief exec is highest city council earner

By Andrew Greaves

A new report has revealed that Preston council chief executive Jim Carr earns more than £120,000 per year.

According to the Taxpayers' Alliance Town Hall Rich List 2008, compiled after a Freedom of Information request, Mr Carr is the highest earner at Preston City Council with £122,802, including car benefit of £12,453 and a payment of £4,750 for being the councils returning officer at elections.

But he is by not the highest council earner in the county.

Lancashire County Council chief executive, Chris Trinick, is the top earner with £188,677. He is due to be replaced this year by new chief Ged Fitzgerald who stands to earn £190,000 once he starts work.

No figures were included for South Ribble Borough Council.

The report, which lists all those earning more than £100,000 at local authorities across the country, has revealed that there are six people at Town Halls in England and Wales earning more than £200,000 per year, and 14 people earning more than the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, who earns £188,849 including his MP's salary.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers have a right to know how much senior town hall officials are being paid because only then can we judge whether they deserve their remuneration."