THE salaries of Bolton Council's top earners have been revealed ­— as part of a town halls rich list.

Bolton Council's chief executive Tony Oakman earns £172,463 a year ­— but is not among the top 10 highest paid council chiefs in the North West.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “The coronavirus crisis means that frontline council services are more crucial than ever, but at the same time household budgets face an enormous squeeze from crushing council tax rises.

“There are plenty of talented people in local authorities who are focused on delivering more for less, but that is needed across the board.

"The country needs every council to cut out waste and prioritise key services without resorting to punishing tax hikes on their residents.

“These figures should shine a light on the town hall bosses who’ve got it right, but also allow taxpayers to hold to account those who aren’t delivering value for money at this critical time.”

The average salary of the whole Bolton Council workforce was £21,166 with the lowest earner receiving £17,364.

The fifth highest earner in the 2020 Town Hall Rich List in the North West was Bolton NHS Foundation Trust chair Donna Hall, who was paid a salary of £186,106 as chief executive of Wigan Council in 2018/19.

Seven Bolton Council bosses received packages worth more than £100,000.

The list includes the the interim director of people who was paid £148,770 and two members of staff whose job titles were undisclosed on the rich list, who earned £152,500 and 102,500 respectively. Director of place Gerry Brough was paid a salary of £112,056 as interim director in 2018/19.

Helen Gorman, the borough solicitor, received a salary of £97,018 as well as £19,868 towards her pension.

The chief executive of the council’s arms-length company Bolton Care and Support Ltd, Jon Livesey, was paid £108,430.