MORE than 10 so-called 'fat cat' council bosses in Worcestershire were paid over £100,000 last year, it has emerged.

The figure included seven senior executives employed by Worcestershire County Council, which has come under fire from a taxpayers' watchdog.

The hefty salaries ranged from £105,000 to £155,000 with 11 directors, managing directors, or chief executives getting six-figure sums in Worcestershire.

The figures, for the 2015/16 financial year, have been compiled by the Taxpayers' Alliance in its latest 'rich list' findings.

John O'Connell, the alliance's chief executive, said: "The average council tax bill has gone up by more than £900 over the last 20 years and spending has gone through the roof.

"Disappointingly, many local authorities are now responding to financial reality through further tax rises and reducing services rather than scaling back top pay.

"Despite many in the public sector facing a much-needed pay freeze to help bring public finances under control, many town hall bosses are continuing to pocket huge remuneration packages, with the number of people on six-figure deals actually going up since last year."

County Hall's tally of big earners included chief executive Clare Marchant, who is now on £155,000, and several corporate directors overseeing areas like transport and the economy, adult health, children's services and commercial activity.

Ms Marchant, said: "The council is committed to being open and transparent to taxpayers and as such publishes its 'Statement of Accounts' including salary information for all senior leadership posts on our website."

Malvern Gazette:

The Taxpayers Alliance figure of seven for the county council included foundation school head teachers.

In terms of the in-house workforce it currently includes infrastructure chief John Hobbs, adult services boss Sander Kristel, children's services exec Catherine Driscoll and interim 'commercial and change director' Peter Bishop, who all get between £109,035 and £126,798, and Ms Marchant.

Malvern Gazette: Catherine Driscoll, director for adult and community services at Dorset County Council

Elsewhere Worcester City Council managing director David Blake, who was appointed last month, is on £105,000, the same rate as old boss Sheena Ramsey.

Malvern Gazette:

Jack Hegarty gets between £118,000-£127,500 as joint chief executive of Malvern Hills and Wychavon district councils.

A joint statement from Councillor Phil Grove and Councillor Linda Robinson, the two Tory leaders in Malvern and Wychavon respectively, said: "Our shared chief executive provides excellent value for money.

"He now covers two councils, which means we've made an annual saving of upwards of £50,000 a year.

"We haven’t just stopped at sharing this senior role - we also share a management team which has to date saved a further £400,000."

Malvern Gazette: Jack Hegarty

Elsewhere in the county Wyre Forest District Council boss Ian Miller is on £109,183, while authorities in Bromsgrove and Redditch share chief executive Kevin Dicks, who gets more than £124,000.

Nationally, 2,314 council workers were paid more than £100,000 in 2015/16, a rise of 89, according to the Taxpayers Alliance.

Some 539 councils paid at least one worker over £150,000, 53 more than the previous year.