South Lanarkshire Council splashed out more than £1 million on just seven employee salaries last year.
The huge figures were revealed last week by pressure group the Taxpayers Alliance in their annual Town Hall rich list.
And all but one executive at the council saw their pay increase, despite the local authority’s budget cuts.
Chief executive Lindsay Freeland earned the highest salary, a whopping £211,385. This comprised a salary of £177,188 and pension contribution of £34,197.
Executive director Paul Manning picked up a total of £163,008, including pension contributions. That was a £6000 increase on his earnings the previous year.
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Also on the rich list is Tony McDaid, the executive director of education resources (£150,011).
In total, the high-earners received £1,097,016 for the year.
Both Mr Freeland and Mr Manning earn more than UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Despite this, South Lanarkshire Council defended the figures. A spokesman said: “All council staff received the same percentage pay increase in 2017/18 which was agreed at a national level.”
John O’Connell, chief executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “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 staggering pay-outs for those leaving their jobs.”
