A record-breaking 3,906 council executives received six-figure pay packages last year, a damning new report has revealed.
The TaxPayers' Alliance's 19th annual "Town Hall Rich List" revealed that 1,092 officials earned over £150,000 in 2023-24, while 262 received more than £200,000.
This marks the highest level since the dataset was first published in 2007.
The number of council staff receiving over £150,000 also increased by 32 per cent compared to the previous year.
While those earning more than £200,000 rose by 50 per cent, from 175 to 262.
Burnley was the only council with no employees receiving over £100,000 over the last year.
The TPA noted that 238 council employees received a higher salary than the Prime Minister's annual entitlement of £172,153 in 2023-24.
Broken down by authority, Westminster City Council had the most employees receiving at least £100,000, at 73.
Nationally, the highest-paid employee was Annemarie O'Donnell, the chief executive of Glasgow City Council, who received a staggering £567,317 - a salary of £209,472 and £357,845 in pension contributions.
The pension contribution was attributed to "strain on the fund costs" prior to her retirement.
MORE SPIRALLING PUBLIC SPENDING:
As a whole, Glasgow Council had 42 bosses earning £100,000 or more.
John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "It's a record-breaking year in many respects for taxpayers as the country hurtles towards a record tax burden, all while the public sector continues to feather its nest.
"The number of council staff with six-figure remuneration packages has surged at the same time that services are being slashed and council tax is being hiked above inflation."
The surge in high-earning council officials comes as households across the country face down council tax increases of 5 per cent from today, at the start of what's been dubbed "Awful April".
The hikes will see the typical Band D council tax bill rise from £2,171 to £2,280.
Some councils have been permitted to impose even higher increases of up to 10 per cent, including Windsor & Maidenhead, Bradford, Birmingham and Somerset.
The report also poured scorn on how some councils implemented these high salaries despite declaring bankruptcy.
Nottingham and Woking councils both had eight officials each receiving total pay packages worth at least £100,000 despite issuing section 114 notices in 2023-24, effectively declaring themselves bankrupt.
Last year, Woking was allowed to impose council tax hikes of 10 per cent on households as a result.
At the same time, many town halls are cutting back on services such as bin collections, pothole repairs and libraries.
Elsewhere in the report, the TaxPayers' Alliance is calling on councils to launch major efficiency drives to limit future council tax increases.
The campaign group also wants Minsters to provide councils with more flexibility over how they use grant funding.
Find Out More...
The TaxPayers' Alliance's 19th annual "Town Hall Rich List" revealed that 1,092 officials earned over £150,000 in 2023-24, while 262 received more than £200,000.
This marks the highest level since the dataset was first published in 2007.
The number of council staff receiving over £150,000 also increased by 32 per cent compared to the previous year.
While those earning more than £200,000 rose by 50 per cent, from 175 to 262.
Burnley was the only council with no employees receiving over £100,000 over the last year.
The TPA noted that 238 council employees received a higher salary than the Prime Minister's annual entitlement of £172,153 in 2023-24.
Broken down by authority, Westminster City Council had the most employees receiving at least £100,000, at 73.
Nationally, the highest-paid employee was Annemarie O'Donnell, the chief executive of Glasgow City Council, who received a staggering £567,317 - a salary of £209,472 and £357,845 in pension contributions.
The pension contribution was attributed to "strain on the fund costs" prior to her retirement.
MORE SPIRALLING PUBLIC SPENDING:
- Taxpayers fork out thousands to help 'bedwetters' buy cars through 'insane' Labour disability benefits
- ‘Fix Britain first!’ Eight INSANE projects that YOUR tax money is going on as calls for UK DOGE grow louder
- Civil servants handed 'gadget limit' after splashing taxpayer cash on iPads
As a whole, Glasgow Council had 42 bosses earning £100,000 or more.
John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "It's a record-breaking year in many respects for taxpayers as the country hurtles towards a record tax burden, all while the public sector continues to feather its nest.
"The number of council staff with six-figure remuneration packages has surged at the same time that services are being slashed and council tax is being hiked above inflation."
The surge in high-earning council officials comes as households across the country face down council tax increases of 5 per cent from today, at the start of what's been dubbed "Awful April".
The hikes will see the typical Band D council tax bill rise from £2,171 to £2,280.
Some councils have been permitted to impose even higher increases of up to 10 per cent, including Windsor & Maidenhead, Bradford, Birmingham and Somerset.
The report also poured scorn on how some councils implemented these high salaries despite declaring bankruptcy.
Nottingham and Woking councils both had eight officials each receiving total pay packages worth at least £100,000 despite issuing section 114 notices in 2023-24, effectively declaring themselves bankrupt.
Last year, Woking was allowed to impose council tax hikes of 10 per cent on households as a result.
At the same time, many town halls are cutting back on services such as bin collections, pothole repairs and libraries.
Elsewhere in the report, the TaxPayers' Alliance is calling on councils to launch major efficiency drives to limit future council tax increases.
The campaign group also wants Minsters to provide councils with more flexibility over how they use grant funding.
Find Out More...