Town Hall Teesside,Who's Earning the Most....
- teessidetoday
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 6
The bulging wallets of Teessides Council 'fat cats' just got that little bit bigger this week, but just who's earning the most ?
3rd April 2025
As taxpayers, we often heavily & quite rightly scrutinise how public funds are spent, especially when it comes to the salaries of senior council officers. The latest data from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, updated as of April 1, 2025, shines a spotlight on the remuneration of some of the top council officials across Teesside. The figures reveal a trend of rising pay for these roles, with significant variation in earnings across the region’s councils.
Senior Officer Pay on the Rise
Across Teesside, Local councils such as—Redcar & Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool, and Darlington—senior officer salaries have all climbed to impressive heights, despite some of these regions considered to be having some of the worst rates of poverty & deprivation.
These roles, often given fancy titles, such as 'Managing Director', 'Chief Executive Officer (CEO)', or 'Head of Paid Service', come with substantial basic salaries, bolstered by generous pension contributions in most cases. The total remuneration packages, which combine basic pay and pensions, show that these council leaders are now trousering in considerable six-figure sums seen by many to be well above the average income for the local areas onto which they serve.
The data suggests a clear upward trajectory in compensation for these positions, reflecting when many claim to be the increasing complexity and responsibility of managing local councils in challenging economic times. However, with public sector budgets under constant pressure, these rising figures are likely to spark debate about value for money and fairness.
Who Earned the Most?
Topping the list on Teesside is Mike Greene, CEO of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, with a total remuneration of £191,864. This includes a basic salary of £169,026 and a hefty pension contribution of £22,134.
Greene’s package stands out as the highest among Teesside’s senior officials, underscoring Stockton’s willingness to invest heavily in its leadership. With a total pay packet nearing £200,000, Greene’s earnings are reportedly said to "reflect the premium placed on steering one of the region’s larger councils through turbulent times", however a most recent council tax increase against the backdrop of an area wih considerably high levels of deprivation & poverty despite numrous regenration programes being commissioned, many locals may feel his salary doesnt reflect the area he oversees....
Who Earned the Least?
At the other end of the spectrum is John Simpson, Managing Director and Head of Paid Service at Redcar & Cleveland Council, who reporedly takes home the lowest total remuneration package at a princely sum of just £162,782. This comprises a basic salary of £147,715 and a pension contribution of £15,067. Whilst still a significant sum—far exceeding the average UK worker’s earnings—Simpson’s pay is notably lower than his counterparts across Teesside. This could reflect differences in council size, budget, or even local priorities, as well as a management restructure which occurred back in 2022 to try to contain spiralling departmental budget deficits & an IT crisis that almost seen the local council go to the brink of bankrupcy, though it’s still a comfortable salary by most standards.
The Middle Ground
Elsewhere on Teesside, the figures fall between these two extremes:
Erik Scollay Middlesbrough Council's newest appointed CEO earns a total of £166,434, based solely on his basic salary, as his pension contribution (according to the Taxpayers Alliance Data) remains undisclosed. This places him just above Redcar & Cleveland's John Simpson but well below Teesside's top earners, raising questions about transparency in Middlesbrough’s reporting.
Denise McGuckin (Hartlepool Borough Council), at one of the areas smallest, yet most 'troubled' Unitary Authorities, The Hartlepool Borough Council top officer secures an enviable £182,510, consisting of a basic salary of £162,375 and pension contributions of £20,135, reflecting a solid mid-tier position amongst the region’s leaders. However her seemingly mediocre salary doesnt come without its controversy, where its claimed calls for her pay to be slashed is increasing, amidst increasing questions over public confidence in the embattled local council & senior officer pay at the local council teetering towards the one million pounds a year mark, despite being one of the smallest local councils in the country & boasting some of the highest levels of Crime, poverty & detitution anywhere in the country.
Darlington Borough Council’s top earner (name not specified) according to data reportedly receives £185,738, putting them just above the earnings of Hartlepool Borough Councils Denise McGuckin which consists of a basic salary of £158,521 and a notably generous pension contribution of £27,217—the highest pension figure so far as disclosed in the dataset.
What’s Driving the Increases?
The upward trend in senior officer pay could be attributed to several factors. Councils face mounting pressures—from a housing crises sparked by mass illegal immigration to social care demands—requiring experienced leaders to navigate complex challenges. Competitive salaries may also be necessary to what local councils claim it to "attract and retain talent" in a region where private-sector opportunities could lure skilled professionals away. Pension contributions, a key component of these packages, further boost total remuneration, ensuring long-term financial security for these public servants...
However, the variation across local councils in the area is striking. Stockton’s £191,864 package dwarfs Redcar & Cleveland’s of £162,782, a gap of nearly £30,000. This disparity might reflect differences in council resources, population size, or strategic priorities, but it’s likely to fuel discussions about equity and accountability.
The Taxpayer’s Perspective
For residents on Teesside, these figures may raise some questions.
With household budgets stretched thin, seeing council leaders earn wages approaching or even exceeding £190,000 could feel out of touch. The Taxpayers’ Alliance, which compiles this data, often argues for greater scrutiny of public sector pay to ensure it delivers value. Whilst these senior officers undoubtedly shoulder some considerable responsibilities, the question remains: are these rising salaries justified in an era of fiscal restraint?
What do you think ?
Are the wages being paid to Teesside Council CEO's 'fair' ?
YES
NO
