THE PAY and expenses claimed by Swindon Council’s staff and members have been revealed to the public.

The figures, which went on display yesterday, show that chief executive, Gavin Jones, was paid a salary of £178,476 in 2009/10 and the council’s Tory leader, Rod Bluh, was paid a total of £28,579.42, including £1,266.81 in expenses.

The five other directors at the council each received a salary of between £100,000 and £140,000.

Director of children’s services John Gilbert was given a £8,145 pay rise in 2009/10.

The 63 councillors who make up the elected part of the council were paid a total of £625,884.40 before tax in allowances and expenses – slightly less than the £630,504 claimed the previous year.

The figures are listed in the council’s annual accounts, which are on display to the public at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street until August 26, before they are sent off to be audited.

Their publication follows the announcement last week that 1,000 jobs could go at the council in a bid to save £30m during the next few years.

Chief executive Mr Jones said he had decided to take a pay cut this year and added that both he and the other senior directors had agreed not to take their 15 per cent bonus.

He said: “I have decided to take a voluntary pay cut of seven per cent off my base salary. I’m not doing this because I expect everyone else to follow suit, and it’s clearly not going to solve the current budget problem on its own but for me, personally, I think it is the right thing to do.

“I know that people will say that on my salary, it’s not a difficult gesture to make, but you can only do what you think is right, and as a leader in public service I think it’s important to be empathetic to the wider issues that affect the people we serve.”

The accounts also reveal that the council has five members of staff who are paid between £95,000 and £99,000, two on £90,000 to £94,000 and six on £85,000 to £89,000. There are another 119 earning between £50,000 and £85,000.

The council is required by law to name anyone who is paid more than £150,000 and also has to publish the positions that are paid more than £100,000.

It must also show the number of employees paid more than £50,000.

Councillors are allowed to claim expenses for any costs incurred, such as travel, food and hotel bills, while going about their official duties.

They are all given a basic annual allowance of £7,690.45 and those with special responsibilities are given an extra allowance.

Coun Kevin Small (Lab) claimed the most at £2,112.35, followed by Coun Bluh and then Coun Doreen Dart (Con), who claimed £1,122.53.

For the full tables of expenses, see today's Adver.