THE £100k-plus salaries of top officials at Inverclyde Council have been revealed by a report.

Data in the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) annual Town Hall Rich List shows that chief executive Aubrey Fawcett currently earns a salary of £118,138.

Meanwhile, the corporate director of health and social care, Louise Long, and Scott Allan, corporate director of environment, regeneration and resources, are on £107,769 a year.

The report shows corporate director of education, Ruth Binks, is paid almost £100,000 a year, while the head of legal and property services, Gerard Malone, and chief financial officer, Alan Puckrin, have salaries of £87,790.

The TPA published the figures as it calls for council tax across the UK to be frozen.

It wants local authority spending to be focused on health and social care services in the months ahead.

Inverclyde residents saw their council tax bills go up by three per cent for 2020/21 following a decision made by elected members earlier this year.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TPA, said: “The coronavirus crisis means frontline council services are more crucial than ever, but at the same time household budgets face an enormous squeeze from crushing council tax rises.

“There are plenty of talented people in local authorities who are focused on delivering more for less, but that is needed across the board.

"The country needs every council to cut out waste and prioritise key services without resorting to punishing tax hikes on their residents.

“These figures should shine a light on the town hall bosses who’ve got it right, but also allow taxpayers to hold to account those who aren’t delivering value for money at this critical time.”

The Scottish council with the most employees who received remuneration in excess of £100,000 in 2018/19 was Glasgow City, with 21.

Inverclyde Council says its senior management provide good value for money.

An council spokesman said: “Council salaries, including those of senior officials, are linked to pay scales approved nationally by COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) and the Scottish Joint Council and are published on the council website.

“The council’s senior management team, which has been reduced significantly in recent years, are responsible for almost 4,000 staff, a total revenue budget of nearly £250 million, capital spending of almost £70m over three years and delivering a range of services so broad that few multi-national companies could match.

“The work of the council directly impacts every one of Inverclyde’s 78,000 citizens.

“The senior management have also been at the forefront of the local response to the coronavirus pandemic, supporting staff in the continued delivery of high-quality services during some of the most challenging times in recent history.

“The council is committed to providing value for taxpayers’ money and senior officers are remunerated at a level that reflects their duties and responsibilities.”