Data suggests Staffordshire has the highest paid council employee in the UK

A Staffordshire council employee received a remuneration package totalling £457,500 in the fiscal year of 2024-25, making them the highest-paid council employee in the UK according to the Town Hall Rich List 2026.

This comes at a time when council tax has experienced the largest annual increase since 2004. The TaxPayers' Alliance's latest report reveals a record-breaking 4,733 council staff across the UK earned over £100,000 last year, including 1,255 who received more than £150,000.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance launched the Town Hall Rich List 2026 in response to concerns over rising council tax bills and the cost of local government executives. The report shows an overall 21.2% increase in employees receiving over £100,000, compared to 2023-24.

Despite consistent budget shortfalls, councils raised tax rates by the maximum allowable 4.99% without triggering a local referendum. Critics argue this increase is burdening taxpayers without proportionate improvements in local services.

The regional breakdown of the report highlights Staffordshire council as topping the list for individual remuneration, though specific details on the employee's name and role remain undisclosed.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, stated:

"Taxpayers are caught in a pincer movement with a record-breaking tax burden on one side and a bloated public sector feathering its nest on the other.

“Our latest Town Hall Rich List exposes a surging class of council bosses enjoying six-figure packages, even as they plead poverty, slash frontline services, and hike council tax bills far beyond inflation.

“Residents can see exactly how many local bureaucrats are receiving plush packages and judge for themselves whether they're getting value for money."

The report indicates a significant rise in council officials' pay across various regions, with Staffordshire council at the forefront, sparking ongoing discussions about transparency and fiscal responsibility.

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