Thanet’s council’s top five officers paid more than £500,000 in 12 months

Salaries, including cash benefits and pension payments, for Thanet’s top five council officers came to £589,040 in the last financial year (April 2016-March 2017), according to draft accounts published by the authority.

The accounts also show a £82,500 “loss of office” pay off for former chief executive Sue McGonigal after she quit her role  in January 2015 following a six-month absence during an investigation into a planning application.

Mrs McGonigal was cleared of any wrongdoing but decided to resign from the post. The compensation was not agreed and paid until the 2016 financial year.

The accounts also reveal top officers’ pay and perks for the year.

Current chief executive Madeline Homer receives £123,173, plus cash benefits of £5,000 and pension contributions of £16,887, taking the annual total to £145,060

Director of Corporate Governance Tim Howes £104,293, plus £4,000 in cash benefits and £13,252 pension contributions taking the total to £121,518

Director of Corporate Resources Tim Willis £97,112, cash benefits £4,000, pension £13,255 equalling £114,367

Director of Community Services Rob Kenyon (pictured) £90,381, cash benefits £4,000, pension £12,441, equalling £106,822

Director of Operational Services Gavin Waite £85,496, cash benefits £4,000, pension £11,777, equalling 101,273

Generous salaries are also paid for three roles within East Kent Services.

In total TDC has 27 staff earning salaries, before extras, between £50,000 and £119,000.

The authority also paid £369,000 in councillor allowances and expenses during the 2016-17 financial year although detailed listing of those allowances has not yet been published.

Thanet council employs 747 full-time and part-time staff.