One name on ‘rich list’ for Mid Ulster Council

Analysis by pressure group The TaxPayers’ Alliance, has produced a UK wide council by council breakdown detailing all employees whose remuneration exceeds £100,000.

The Town Hall Rich List 2020 shows Mid Ulster District Council’s top earner is its Chief Executive, Anthony Tohill, with a total remuneration of £135,660

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This is made up of a salary of £114,000 and £21,660 in pension contributions, according to the figures published by The TaxPayers’ Alliance.

The Town Hall Rich List is part of The TaxPayers’ Alliance drive to improve transparency and accountability for local authorities, by letting the public see exactly what senior staff at council offices across the UK are being paid.

All data in the publication is sourced from councils’ statements of accounts which are publicly available, the campaign group claims.

Speaking about the salary awarded to the Chief Executive, a spokesperson for Mid Ulster District Council said: “Chief Executives’ salaries in Northern Ireland councils were set in 2013 independently of the councils and are stipulated in three bands.

“Band one is the highest and applicable only to Belfast City Council and band three is applicable to the majority of councils here (eight), including Mid Ulster.”

Reflecting on the rate of remuneration across councils in Northern Ireland, The TaxPayers’ Alliance grass roots campaign manager, Harry Done said councils need to “maximise spending on frontline priorities”.

“The number of senior executives paid over £100,000 has stayed steady, but the councils’ decision makers still need to ensure they are doing whatever they can to cut down on waste, maximise spending on frontline priorities and keeping rates down,” he said.

“But rates are surging across Northern Ireland and the public expects the extra tax they’re paying to be spent on delivering better services. Every council needs to cut out waste and prioritise key services without resorting to punishing tax hikes on their residents.”

The Chief Executive of The TaxPayers’ Alliance, John O’Connell said: “The coronavirus crisis means that frontline council services are more crucial than ever, but at the same time household budgets face an enormous squeeze.

“There are plenty of talented people in local authorities who are focused on delivering more for less, but that is needed across the board.

“The country needs every council to cut out waste and prioritise key services without resorting to punishing tax hikes on their residents.

“These figures should shine a light on the town hall bosses who’ve got it right, but also allow taxpayers to hold to account those who aren’t delivering value for money at this critical time.”

The TaxPayers’ Alliance’s Town Hall Rich List 2020 can be found at https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/town_hall_rich_list_2020

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