Lib Dems condemn pay bonanza for top staff at Essex County Council

Liberal Democrat councillors have condemned the pay bonanza for top staff at Essex County Council.

The Liberal Democrats, who are the main opposition to the Council's ruling Conservatives, have uncovered shocking figures which show that the number of Council employees (excluding school staff) paid £80,000 or more has nearly doubled in a year.

Essex County Council's Statement of Accounts 2010 / 11 shows that the number of County Council staff, excluding school staff, paid £80,000 or more jumped from 59 to 104 over the 12 months to March 2011.

Lib Dem Cllr Barry Aspinell said:

"At a time when jobs and services are being cut because money is scarce - and pay freezes are common - such a large rise in highly paid Council staff is not acceptable. It will not find favour with most council taxpayers."