FIFE COUNCIL’S boss earns more than the Prime Minister, a new study has found. 

Chief executive Steven Grimmond earned a remuneration package of £207,190 in 2016/17, according to figures in the annual town hall rich list published by the TaxPayers’ Alliance.

Mr Grimmond’s package that year was made up of a salary of £148,610, together with £23,508 in other payments and £35,072 of employer pension contributions, while Theresa May is on a salary of £150,000. 

The pay packets of council employees earning more than £100,000 was announced just a few weeks after Fifers learned that they would be facing a three per cent council tax rise. 

But the stats do show that the spend on big packets has been reigned in with the number of officers on more than £100,000 falling by 38 per cent compared to the previous year, from 13 to five. 

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “It’s good news for taxpayers that the number of very high earners is falling but there are still far too many astronomical pay-offs for those leaving employment.

More than £1 million was spent getting rid of just five Scottish town hall staff in 2017, despite the Government’s supposed clampdown on golden goodbyes.”

Mr Grimmond received £23,508 as the returning officer for elections, as well as his salary and pension contributions. 

Jacqui Cameron, HR service manager at Fife Council, said: “Salaries for council chief executives across Scotland are set by COSLA as part of a national collective agreement with the relevant trade unions and representative bodies.

“Fife Council, which has over 17,000 employees, has only five members of staff with salaries over £100,000. They are the council’s executive team. 

"Their salaries are a matter of public record.”