Town Hall Rich List shows the top earners at Newcastle City Council last year

Latest figures from the TaxPayers’ Alliance Town Hall Rich List have revealed the top earners in local authorities across the UK for 2021/22.

In Newcastle, ten senior employees received more than £100,000 last year through salaries, bonuses, pensions and other payments.

According to the report, Newcastle City Council was the local authority that paid out the highest amount in the UK for bonuses and performance-related pay.

The figures state that the director of public helath received a bonus of £36,192; however, the local authority has clarified to NewcastleWorld that it was not an expense of the council.

A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “As an organisation we do not offer any performance-related pay or bonus scheme for any members of staff.

“The amount quoted in the report was a contractual entitlement to the previous postholder through the Clinical Excellence Awards scheme administered and funded by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and was no additional cost to the council.”

According to the report, the highest earner was the director of resources at the council last year, receiving of a total of £175,908 - £147,946 in salary and £27,962 in pension contributions.

The director of public health was the next highest earner, with a salary of £110,509, pension contributions of £21,081, plus the bonus of £36,192, meaning a total of £167,782 was paid out - although only £131,590 was from Newcastle City Council.

A further eight positions were recorded to have received a total between £111,873 and £162,633.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, commented: “Taxpayers facing record council tax rises want to be sure they are getting value for money from their local authority leadership.

“Many authorities continue with extremely generous pay and perks, including bonuses and golden goodbyes, while local people are facing a financial squeeze.

“Residents can use these figures to hold their local town hall bosses to account.”

Northumberland County Council is the local authority in the North East with the most employees to receive more than £100,000 for the third year running.

The second highest UK-wide remuneration package was received by Sunderland’s executive director of neighbourhoods, with £573,550 paid out.

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