Council's chief executive earns 6.4 times the salary of the lowest paid staff
Denbighshire Council's chief executive earns more than six times the salary of the council's lowest paid member of staff, councillors heard. At a meeting at the council's Ruthin County Hall HQ this week, councillors rubber-stamped Denbighshire 's annual pay policy statement, which outlines how much council staff are paid, including senior officers and the lowest-paid employees.
The 2025/26 version included details of the latest national pay awards agreed for 2024/25, while noting that negotiations for the upcoming year were still ongoing. The policy, required under the Localism Act 2011, must be updated and published each year and confirmed the council's lowest-paid staff are expected to remain on wages above the Real Living Wage of £12 per hour.
The statement compared the salary of the chief executive with that of the council's lowest-paid worker, referencing national guidance that top earners in the public sector should not receive more than 20 times the lowest salary. The chief executive position receives an incremental scale of £144,452 - £148,822 per annum for 2024/25, with no agreement on the National Pay Award for 2025/26 being in place yet. Sign up for the North Wales Live newslettersent twice daily to your inbox.
Head of corporate support services Catrin Roberts said Denbighshire's pay structure was within the limits allowed. 'An important part of the policy is to show the relationship between the remuneration of the chief executive and chief officers pay and all other employees of the council, effectively looking at how much the chief officers earn compared to the other employees,' she said.
'There is some data there that relates to the pay relativity for the council. It states that the chief executive's salary is 6.4 times the salary of the lowest paid employee for the council.
"The average chief officer is 4.4 times the lowest paid employee, and looking at average salary, it states that the chief executive salary is five times the average salary of all council employees, and that the chief officer salary is 3.4 times the average salary of employees.'
She added: 'The requirement is that no public-sector manager can earn more than 20 times the lowest paid person in that particular organisation. So our figures are well within that limit.'
The council has a turnover of £439 million (£396 million revenue and £43 million capital) and employs around 4,500 staff. The report states that the current chief executive, Graham Boase, has been in the position since 1 August 2021.
Public notices in your area
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Live
3 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Shocked Cresta Cars taxi boss uncowed by office attacks and threats to 'go back home'
A taxi firm boss says he won't be cowed by a series of attacks on a new Flintshire office being readied for opening. Xristos Tsorvas, of Mold-based Cresta Cars, said he was left shocked and saddened by the vandalism of the firm's taxi office in Flint. He claimed windows were smashed and white paint was splashed across the front of the premises. Xristos, one of the company's three directors, said he also received messages warning to 'go back to my own country' – he's originally from Athens, Greece. North Wales Police said it received two reports of criminal damage at the premises and one of harassment. Officers are investigating and they have appealed for information from the public. 'You'd be shocked if you saw the messages I've been sent,' said Xristos. 'I've had messages telling me to go back to my own country. They threatened my life. They warned me my office would be set on fire. 'This is not normal in 2025. Breaking windows and splashing paint - it is really sad. All we want is to provide a service for the people of Flint. They were wearing balaclavas – why do people want to stop us with this gangster behaviour? It's not normal.' Cresta Cars has enjoyed rapid expansion since launching in Mold in 2019 with just three vehicles. By the end of 2024, the firm was operating a fleet of 160 with additional offices in Buckley, Connah's Quay and Broughton. Late last year a new outlet was opened in Chester and the planned Flint office will expand the branch network to six. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone Following the Chester Street attacks in early August, Cresta Taxis was asked to vacate its new office. Xristos has since agreed new premises in the town and plans to start operating from them on September 1. But, he insisted: 'I am not stopping - I will open an office in Flint. I am not scared, I am more determined now. This behaviour is not right and it will not deter us from operating. 'This is just a business.... I can't stop just because I receive bullying and threats. We have 280 people who rely on the business for jobs and families. 'Not just the drivers, the receptionists and secretaries too. A lot of people need the business to make a living, so I can't stop.' North Wales Police confirmed it received a complaint from Cresta Cars at around 2.20pm on Friday, August 8. A spokesperson said: 'It is reported a window was smashed on Monday, August 4, before paint was thrown over the exterior of the building in the early hours of August 8. 'Reports of harassment were also made. Officers are investigating the alleged incidents and are asking anyone with to contact us.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Information can be reported to the force via the website or by dialling 101. Callers should quote reference number 25000654223.
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Wales Online
Haven holiday park in North Wales to open for Christmas 'sleigh-cations'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A UK holiday park operator is to capitalise on the UK's staycation trend by opening a Gwynedd facility over Christmas for the first time. Haven said festive visits to Hafan y Mor, near Pwllheli, will be akin to a winter 'sleigh-cation' The decision to open Hafan y Mor for Christmas builds on last year's success when Haven opened five of its parks in England over the festive period. Last year, more than 30,000 guests enjoyed breaks by the sea with each park transformed into a 'magical winter wonderland'. Hafan y Mor is the first of the company's seven parks in Wales to open over Christmas and the New Year. Festive entertainment will be provided each day and evening, and all holiday homes will be decked out with their own pre-lit Christmas trees. Holidaymakers can get a full Christmas Day dinner with all the trimmings at Haven's on-site restaurants. Three-night festive breaks start from £135, with four-night Christmas Day breaks from £509. Prices for three-night New Year breaks start from £569, To publicise the move, holidaymakers at Hafan y Mor recently found themselves coming face-to-face with Santa. Commenting on his visit, Father Christmas said: 'Like the families visiting Haven this week, I'm enjoying a bit of a break before my big autumn rush. 'With hundreds of extra holiday homes to visit at Hafan y Mor this year, I want to make sure I know my way around. While they don't have chimneys, my elves have already been working out how we can get in undetected. 'I always rest on Boxing Day – but I'm definitely checking availability for a New Year break so I can relax in the pool while Mrs Claus enjoys the bingo.' Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone Hafan y Mor will be one of nine Haven parks opening for festive breaks this year. The others are: Cala Gran, Blackpool, Lancashire Craig Tara, Ayr, near Glasgow Devon Cliffs, near Exmouth, Devon Kent Coast, Rochester, Kent Primrose Valley, Filey, North Yorkshire Rockley Park, Poole, Dorset Seashore, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Seton Sands, Port Seton, near Edinburgh Last week it was confirmed that Hafan y Mor has retained its prestigious AA Five Platinum Star rating, with a 95% score. Haven CEO Simon Palethorpe, CEO, said the company was seeing 'record numbers' of visitors to its parks this August. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday He said year-round demand is rising and Haven wanted to give families a great seaside getaway no matter the time of year. "Christmas at Haven is truly magical.," he added. "Whichever park you choose, I'm confident you'll experience an unforgettable festive feeling." Find family activities near you
North Wales Live
a day ago
- North Wales Live
Haven holiday park in North Wales to open for Christmas 'sleigh-cations'
A UK holiday park operator is to capitalise on the UK's staycation trend by opening a Gwynedd facility over Christmas for the first time. Haven said festive visits to Hafan y Mor, near Pwllheli, will be akin to a winter 'sleigh-cation' The decision to open Hafan y Mor for Christmas builds on last year's success when Haven opened five of its parks in England over the festive period. Last year, more than 30,000 guests enjoyed breaks by the sea with each park transformed into a 'magical winter wonderland'. Hafan y Mor is the first of the company's seven parks in Wales to open over Christmas and the New Year. Festive entertainment will be provided each day and evening, and all holiday homes will be decked out with their own pre-lit Christmas trees. Holidaymakers can get a full Christmas Day dinner with all the trimmings at Haven's on-site restaurants. Three-night festive breaks start from £135, with four-night Christmas Day breaks from £509. Prices for three-night New Year breaks start from £569, To publicise the move, holidaymakers at Hafan y Mor recently found themselves coming face-to-face with Santa. Commenting on his visit, Father Christmas said: 'Like the families visiting Haven this week, I'm enjoying a bit of a break before my big autumn rush. 'With hundreds of extra holiday homes to visit at Hafan y Mor this year, I want to make sure I know my way around. While they don't have chimneys, my elves have already been working out how we can get in undetected. 'I always rest on Boxing Day – but I'm definitely checking availability for a New Year break so I can relax in the pool while Mrs Claus enjoys the bingo.' Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone Hafan y Mor will be one of nine Haven parks opening for festive breaks this year. The others are: Cala Gran, Blackpool, Lancashire Craig Tara, Ayr, near Glasgow Devon Cliffs, near Exmouth, Devon Kent Coast, Rochester, Kent Primrose Valley, Filey, North Yorkshire Rockley Park, Poole, Dorset Seashore, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Seton Sands, Port Seton, near Edinburgh Last week it was confirmed that Hafan y Mor has retained its prestigious AA Five Platinum Star rating, with a 95% score. Haven CEO Simon Palethorpe, CEO, said the company was seeing 'record numbers' of visitors to its parks this August. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday He said year-round demand is rising and Haven wanted to give families a great seaside getaway no matter the time of year. "Christmas at Haven is truly magical.," he added. "Whichever park you choose, I'm confident you'll experience an unforgettable festive feeling."
