AROUND £2million in total was spent on combined payments to eight council bosses in one year – it has been revealed. 

Basildon Council's former deputy chief executive, Amanda Skeat, was handed almost £130,000 more than her boss, the chief executive. 

The data comes from the draft annual financial report 2023-24. The former chief executive, Scott Logan, took home a total of £249,282, this included: salary, fees and allowances of £202,075, £3,963 in expense allowance, a pension of £43,244. 

While his deputy, Amanda Skeat was paid a salary of £152,108, expenses totalling £3,963, termination payments of £187,715, benefits in kind of £2,877, a pension worth £32,551, making a whopping £379,214. 

At the time the council was under a Conservative lead administration after the May 2023 election, which saw the party, which is now in opposition, gain 39 per cent of the votes, with Labour taking 29 per cent.

The total paid to staff, including salary, redundancy, bonus and other amounts rose, in 202/23 it was 1,289,911. The number of staff earning between £100,001 and £105,000 also rose from none two. 

A Basildon Council spokesperson said: "Basildon Council is transparent about the pay packages of senior members of staff and all decisions regarding pay are made in line with council policies and contract arrangements. 

"Basildon Council's redundancy costs are in line with council policies and contract arrangements and are published annually. The total figures include pension contribution, annual leave payment and payment in lieu of notice, depending on individual circumstances."