Sunderland Council officer tops Town Hall Rich List

Dr Dave Smith Credit: Sunderland City Council

Sunderland City Council has released a statement explaining itself after the TaxPayers’ Alliance published its Town Hall Rich List 2017 showing Sunderland's former Chief Executive received £625,570.

The Rich List shows a breakdown of individuals receiving more than £100,000 at different councils. (Full table below)

Dave Smith received the biggest remuneration package of any individual at any council.

Sunderland City Council has said that Dr Dave Smith no longer works there and that the figure includes pension payments.

In the North East, Durham County Council had the most employees who received remuneration in excess of £100,000, with 20.

Paul Darby, head of financial and HR services at Durham County Council, said:

The TaxPayers' Alliance criticises the payouts and says to pay should be scaled back before taxes rise.

“The average council tax bill has gone up by more than £900 over the last twenty years and spending has gone through the roof. Disappointingly, many local authorities are now responding to financial reality through further tax rises and reducing services rather than scaling back top pay. Despite many in the public sector facing a much-needed pay freeze to help bring the public finances under control, many town hall bosses are continuing to pocket huge remuneration packages, with the number of people on six-figure deals actually going up since last year. "There are talented people in the public sector who are trying to deliver more for less, but the sheer scale of these packages raise serious questions about efficiency and priorities."