In the Herald website column of former leader of Eastbourne Borough Council Ian Lucas, he revealed that five East Sussex County Council officers earn more than £100,000 a year, according to Freedom of Information figures.

He said, "I had expected to see just one name on East Sussex County Council, that of the chief executive, who I knew earned that sort of money.

"But imagine my amazement when I discovered that in 06/07 five senior county council officers earned over £100K."

The five are: Cheryl Miller, chief executive, £152,235 pa; Sean Nolan, deputy chief executive and director of corporate resources, £129,399 pa; Matt Dunkley, director of children's services £120,990 pa; Bob Wilkins, former director of transport (he has left ESCC since the figures were compiled), £103,026 pa and Andrew Ogden, director of law and personnel, £103,026 pa.

Mr Lucas asked whether the salaries were 'value for money'.

But a spokesperson for the county council said, "Senior management at East Sussex County Council are responsible for managing more than 15,000 staff and a gross budget of more than £700 million, which is spent on providing 350 different services to the people of East Sussex.
"Councils are responsible for ensuring taxpayers' money is spent wisely on the services local people want and need.

"It is vital that those at the top have the skills, experience and knowledge to do their crucial jobs well.

"The market is very competitive and many councils are having trouble recruiting people to their top jobs.

"To attract the best and brightest people to deliver value for money, you have to pay a competitive wage.

"The county council's policy is to pay salaries to all its staff which are in line with the average salaries paid to those doing similar jobs elsewhere in the public sector in the South East — this is as true for its top managers as it is for other staff in the county council.

"Senior managers doing comparative jobs in the private sector generally earn far more than public sector managers.

"Taxpayers get very good value for money from public sector top managers."