Former Oldham Council boss paid six times the salary of average Oldhamer

Former Chief Executive of Oldham Council, Carolyn Wilkins OBE

The former Chief Executive of Oldham Council was one of the highest paid council officers in the country, according to low-tax pressure group, the Taxpayers' Alliance.

Carolyn Wilkins OBE left her post at Oldham Council last July after twelve years at the council, seven of which were in the top job.

Ms Wilkins' salary was £185,169, whilst the Deputy Chief Executive earned between £130,000 and £140,000.

The Taxpayers' Alliance "Town Hall Rich List" compiles salaries of council officers from around the UK, and says the number of local authority employees receiving over £100,000 in total remuneration has risen to the highest level since 2013-14.

They also named a number of other Council officers at the authority with salaries of over £100,000.

The median gross annual wage in Oldham is £28,028 according to the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) data.

The latest figures from UK Parliament show Prime Minister Boris Johnson earns £164,080,  £21,000 less than the former Chief Executive.

A spokesperson for Oldham Council said: “We publish information on our senior management pay every year as part of our statement of accounts.

“Details of our 2020/21 senior management salaries have been in the public domain since last June. However, the way the Taxpayers’ Alliance have presented these figures is misleading – for example, they have included roles which do not work directly for the council.

“Over the last 12 months, we have restructured our senior management team as part of our ongoing commitment to improving services for residents and providing the best value for money, and this has come at a saving to the council.”

Harry Catherall replaced Ms Wilkins in the Chief Executive role last year - initially temporarily, but now on a permanent basis - with a lower salary of £160,000.

The Deputy Chief Executive salary is between £130,000 and £140,000.

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