Doncaster council is to fork out �500,000 on bosses' pay rises

Doncaster councillors agreed on Monday to the move which will see the chief executive's salary rise from �103,000 to �140,000.

The pay of other executive directors is to rise to �105,000 from �83,000, while mayor Martin Winter will receive �62,000, up from �42,000.

The increases will cost the authority nearly �500,000 of taxpayers' money.

Staff 'poached'

The council defended the rises, saying they were comparable to those in neighbouring authorities and would help Doncaster attract high-quality senior officers.

Interim chief executive Roger Taylor said Doncaster was vulnerable to top staff being "poached" by other authorities.

But the move has prompted criticism, not only from opposition members, but also from within the leading Labour group.

Labour councillor David Hughes, from the Bentley Central ward, said: "These are pay rises for those at the top for hitting targets.

"But what about the rest of the Doncaster workforce for the delivery of these targets?"

Monday's vote is expected to be approved by the council's cabinet within the next few weeks.