FIVE bosses at Bradford Council earned nearly £620,000 between them in 2016/17, new figures have revealed.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance has compiled a list of the top earners at local authorities across the country, and has found Kersten England, the chief executive at Bradford, earns £180,261 a year, around £70,000 more than the second person on the list, Michael Jameson, the strategic director for Children’s Services, who earns £137,845.

The other Bradford Council chiefs on the list is the former director of Public Health, Anita Parkin, who earned £104,410, the director of West Yorkshire Pension Fund, Rodney Barton, and the director of Human Resources, both of who earn £97,342.

Altogether, the five earned a combined £617,200 in 2016/17.

Anita Parkin no longer works for Bradford Council.

Tom Riordan, the chief executive of Leeds City Council, earns £178,224 in comparison.

However, seven of their highest paid members of staff take home more than £125,000 a year.

Kersten England is one of the highest paid council chief executives in the country.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “The average council tax bill has gone up by more than £900 over the last 20 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 staggering pay-outs for those leaving their jobs despite a £95,000 cap passed by the last government.

“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.

“The Government must also act to implement the exit payment cap that was passed in 2016.”

Michelle Moverley, Bradford Council’s acting director of Human Resources, said: “Bradford Council is the fifth largest metropolitan district council in the country with a gross budget of over £1 billion and a workforce of over 8,000 staff delivering vital public services to over half a million residents.

“We have carried out a number of management restructures over the years, saving £1.3m since 2010, with a recent restructure saving another £182,000 from senior management costs.

“These pay packages have not increased since the last time the TaxPayers’ Alliance conducted this study and I can confirm they are in line with other local authorities reflecting the responsibilities of the roles.”

  • A previous version of this story stated Kersten England earned £207,411. However, Bradford Council say this figure, provided by the TaxPayers Alliance, is incorrect and her salary is £180,261