Borough also has the highest number of six figure salaries

According to new figures obtained by the Evening Standard through a Freedom of Information request, Paul Martin Chief Executive at Wandsworth Council is the second highest earning council chief in London, earning £254,880 per annum.

Paul Martin joined Wandsworth Council having been chief Executive at Sutton council on a salary of £167,000, with no performance related pay or bonuses - back in 2010 the position at Wandsworth was advertised with a salary “in the region of £200,000 plus performance-related pay".

A spokesman for the council said: "The council has reduced senior executive pay by more £800,000 since 2010. We do not recognise the 44 figure mentioned by the Evening Standard. The current figure is 22 and this number will fall even further in the months ahead. "

He continued: "The council is a £900m a year business and looks after more than £3 billion of public assets. It is by employing highly skilled and talented people that's ensured Wandsworth is one of the best-run and most efficient councils in the country while charging residents the nation's lowest average council tax bills."

The salaries paid to senior staff can be downloaded here.

The Evening Standard's research shows London's 32 boroughs paid almost £6.9 million to chief executives last year, with most earning over £200,000.

Separate figures revealed that 608 council officials in London earned more than £100,000 in 2011/12, compared with 701 the previous year. Wandsworth had the highest number of six figure salaries with 44.

March 27, 2013