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Kent and Medway council bosses' pay revealed

The men and women who run the county's 14 major councils are earning up to a combined total of more than £2.3 million a year.

Latest figures obtained by KentOnline show the elected political leaders of the county, borough and district authorities take home more than £408,600.

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This is mainly broken down in terms of basic allowances for being a councillor, special responsibility pay for leadership and other amounts such as travel costs.

At the peak of their pay grades, the top civil servants, whose job it is to run local authorities day-to-day, pocket more than £1,959,800 in pay and other bonuses such as car allowances and pension contributions.

The highest-paid council leader, unsurprisingly given its size and responsibilities, is KCC's, where former incumbent Cllr Paul Carter earned £67,000, while the lowest is Thanet's Cllr Rick Everitt, who has only recently taken on the role, on £18,082.

The council chief who earns the most money, again comes from KCC where corporate director of strategic and corporate services, David Cockburn, earns £201,587.

In Ashford district, chief executive Tracey Kerly's package can total £119,696 while council leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson earned £29,247, according to latest figures.

Cllr Paul Carter giving his final speech (19635708)
Cllr Paul Carter giving his final speech (19635708)

Canterbury's chief executive Colin Carmichael earns between £115,000 and £119,999, while council leader Cllr Rob Thomas takes home £21,832.

In Dartford, the top civil servant is managing director and head of paid services, Graham Harris, who earns between £115,000 - £119,999. In the year ending March 31, leader Cllr Jeremy Kite took home £46,784.

Dover chief executive Nadeem Aziz's total package could hit £191,000, while the leader position, which is being filled on October 30, receives £18,812.

Folkestone and Hythe's corporate director - strategy, Dr Susan Priest, earns £125,479, while council leader Cllr David Monk pockets £28,650

In Gravesham, outgoing chief executive David Hughes' wage is between £120,022 and £131,277. Council leader Cllr John Burden is on £26,522.

Maidstone's chief exec Alison Broom was paid £121,760 last year while council leader Cllr Martin Cox earns £24,675.

At unitary authority Medway Council, chief executive Neil Davies's maximum salary is £150,937 while council leader Alan Jarrett earns £36,017.

Sevenoaks' leader Peter Fleming is on £21,996 and chief executive Dr Pav Ramewal £153,840.

At Swale, chief executive Mark Radford's top pay scale is £149,999 while council leader Cllr Roger Truelove's allowances total £19,304.

In Thanet, chief executive Madeline Homer is on a maximum of £129,936.

Medway Council leader Alan Jarrett
Medway Council leader Alan Jarrett

Tonbridge and Malling council leader Nicholas Heslop earns £25,000 and chief executive Julie Beilby gets £124,263.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council leader Cllr Alan McDermott is on £24,750 and chief executive William Benson £120,000.

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