Staff on salaries over £100k at Watford and Hertfordshire councils

A Town Hall Rich List released this week revealed officials receiving six-figure salaries nationwide jumped by 119 to 2,921, with 739 getting over £150k.

Watford Borough Council’s managing director earnt a total of £142,500, while its group head of place shaping got £112,500, and the executive head of commercial finance £102,500.

Three Rivers District Council’s chief executive got a total of £153,053 – which includes £23,376 pension money – while the deputy’s total came to £122,038.

Watford's Town Hall.

TaxPayers’ Alliance, which provided the list, called on local authorities to stop tax rises and cut wasteful spending amid the cost of living crisis.

Chief executive John O’Connell said: “With households having suffered through the pandemic and now struggling under colossal tax bills, the country needs councils to prioritise key services without resorting to punishing tax hikes.

“These figures will allow residents to judge town hall bosses for themselves and hold their local councils to account.”

Among our borough councils, Hertsmere’s managing director was by far the top earner with £174k - which includes £27k pension contributions - while the head of finance got £106k.

Its head of partnerships, community engagement and housing got £102k and the head of legal and democratic services £101k.

Herts County Council’s chief executive scooped £222,087 – which included £38,100 of pension money – while the director of children’s services got a total of £186,203.

Seven other officials, including the director of public health, chief legal officer, and deputy chief fire officer, earned between £182,593 and £130,013.

At Dacorum Borough Council three assistant directors’ totals were £101,489, another scooped £102,815 and two corporate directors got £131,591. The chief executive, up to October 30, earned £106,421.

What did the councils say?

Watford Borough Council: “We want the very best people to work for the council ensuring Watford remains a successful town. Offering the right salary for the job is one way we achieve this.”

County Hall, Hertford. Picture: Google Street View.

Hertfordshire County Council:  “There is a balance to be struck for us in Hertfordshire; we need to attract and retain the best possible people to meet our challenging agenda and operate in a competitive recruitment market close to London.

“To achieve our vision of a cleaner, greener and healthier Hertfordshire there must be senior officers to work with elected councillors to match our ambition as we strive to deliver the best outcomes for Hertfordshire, as a county of opportunity for all; a place where our people thrive, our places prosper, and our planet is protected. 

“To ensure transparency levels of senior officer pay are approved by senior councillors and to comply with open data, all information is available on our website.”

Hertsmere Borough Council: “Salaries for our most senior staff reflect the responsibilities that come with this type of key role, and are agreed by elected members in an open and transparent way.

“These are leading positions which carry salaries commensurate with these responsibilities.

“The salaries aim to attract and retain the best candidates possible in a competitive market and to support the organisation’s very lean management structure.

“The managing director and senior leadership posts have seen the same pay freezes as other council staff over recent years.”

Three Rivers District Council and Dacorum Borough Council were approached for comment.