SWINDON’S town hall boss has been told to take a pay cut by a Government minister.

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said council chief executives earning £150,000 “can afford” to reduce their earnings as part of a wider efficiency drive in the public sector.

When told that the chief executive of Swindon Council, Gavin Jones, is currently on a salary of £165,982, he responded: “Are you serious? I can’t believe he is on that much.”

Mr Jones has taken a voluntary seven per cent pay cut and decided not to claim his 22 per cent performance related bonus this year.

Mr Pickles has no legal power to force Mr Jones – and dozens of other council bosses around the country – to slash their pay.

But his “suggestion” will pile further pressure on high earners in the public sector as workers lower down the ladder brace themselves for job losses.

The minister said: “Everyone in the public sector must do their bit to cut back. The Prime Minister’s taken a pay cut, I’ve taken a pay cut, so I say to my many chums who are council chief execs, it’s your turn now.

“Trust me, you will feel better for it – you’ll be able to look your council workers in the eye.

“I want to be helpful – so here’s a suggestion. If you’re on a salary of £150,000, you can afford to take a five per cent pay cut. Likewise, to all those on £200,000, you can afford a 10 per cent cut.”

A further five per cent cut – if accepted by Mr Jones – would cost the council boss £8,300 a year.

But council leader Rod Bluh said Mr Pickles’ comments were ‘unhelpful’ and said Mr Jones was only being paid the market rate for someone of his callibre.

“I understand the public debate surrounding public sector pay but it’s how you go about it,” said Coun Bluh.

“The council decided what to pay him and we were advised by consultants what the market rate for that was.

“People like Gavin Jones come from the private sector and if we want good people we need to pay the going rate for the job.

“It’s a big, complex job and we want to see results.”

At the time Mr Jones came to the role Swindon Council was one of the worst-rated in the country, he said, and it was now one of the most transformed in the country.