£1.2m pay packet between Blackpool Councils highest paid officers as wages are revealed

The Annual wage of Blackpool Council chief officers has been upped again, with over 10 people now earning over £100k a year.

Blackpool Council pay figures have been published on the Council's website as part of its pledge to increase transparency but pressure group The Taxpayers Alliance has highlighted the wages issue.

Topping the list is Chief executive Neil Jack, listed as taking home in his remuneration package, nearly £170,000 for the financial year of 2021/22. for the same year, Director of Public health, Dr Arif Rajpura, took home nearly £136,000, with this including pension contributions.

Other members topping the £100,000 mark are the chief officers for children's services, adult services, resources, community and environmental services, communications and regeneration, strategy and lastly, governance and partnerships, quite a list.

Also listed as earning more than £100,000 a year is the Blackpool coroner, however he is not an officer but still on Council pay-roll.

The total wage cost increased from just over £1.1m in 2020/21 to the over £1.23m in 2021/22.

Chief Executive of Blackpool Council - Neil Jack

The news may not be the best to hear for some, as this comes as Council Tax has risen by 5% for the upcoming financial year (2023/24) with this increasing the cost of an average Band D property from last years £2.063 to £2,170.

Nearly £10m will be taken out of reserves to help prop up spending after the Council was forced to cut £23m from its budget.

Chief Executive of the Taxpayers Alliance, John O'Connell Said: “Taxpayers facing a cost of living crisis want to know they are getting value for money from their local authority leadership.

“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.”

Speaking on the issue, a spokesperson for Blackpool Council said: “The detail of salaries which are in excess of £50,000 can be found on our website and have been accessible there for many years. Salaries are set at appropriate market levels and are necessary to attract and retain the right staff.

“It is essential that we have staff who can run our services effectively ensuring our residents are looked after, supported and accessing the help they need.”