Campaign group The Taxpayers’ Alliance has released its Town Hall Rich List 2024, listing council employees in the UK who received over £100,000 in taxpayers’ money in a single financial year.
The list revealed that 24 Leeds City Council employees earned more than £100,000 in the 2022-23 financial year, which is five more than last year and compares to the UK average of nine per local authority. Local authorities are only required to provide names for those with a salary of £150,000 or more.
Chief executive Tom Riordan had the highest salary of £191,870 followed by the council’s director of communities and environment, James Rogers, who earned £189,831.
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “The salaries paid to our chief officers are consistent with the duties they are required to undertake and the responsibilities they have, with salary grades benchmarked and evaluated according to the size and scope of each individual role.
“Leeds is the country’s second biggest unitary council and remains open and transparent about its salary levels. The number of staff earning over £100,000 represents 0.20% of the workforce.
“The council’s chief executive’s voluntary pay cut over the last few years has also been channelled into additional savings for the council and local good causes, totalling more than one year’s annual salary.
“Like all local authorities, Leeds City Council has faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years due to the pandemic, cost of living crisis and increased demand for services and the council’s senior management team have played an important role in coordinating the city’s response.”
Here are the 12 highest paid employees at Leeds City Council.
7. Victoria Bradshaw - £133,342
Victoria Bradshaw is the council's chief financial officer, one of several officers who hold statutory roles in the council and work closely with the Corporate Leadership Team. She earned a £114,751 salary and £18,591 in pension contributions, with a total package of £133,342. | Jonathan Gawthorpe Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
8. Cathrine Witham - £130,635
Cathrine Witham is the local authority's city solicitor. She earned a salary of £112,714, with £17,921 in pension contributions and a total package of £130,635. | Jonathan Gawthorpe Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
9. Cath Roff - £129,380
Cath Roff was the council's director of adults and health, earning a £129,380 salary and total package. She has now left the role. | Bruce Rollinson Photo: Bruce Rollinson
10. Unnamed employee - £127,500
An unnamed employee, whose role is not disclosed, earned £127,500. Local authorities are not required to publish the names or roles of employees who earn less than £150,000. | Jonathan Gawthorpe Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
11. Unnamed employee - £122,500
An unnamed employee, whose role is not disclosed, earned £122,500. Local authorities are not required to publish the names or roles of employees who earn less than £150,000. | Tony Johnson Photo: Tony Johnson
12. Unnamed employee - £117,500
An unnamed employee, whose role is not disclosed, earned £117,500. Local authorities are not required to publish the names or roles of employees who earn less than £150,000. | James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty