For several years now, residents across the West Midlands have faced yearly council tax hikes, often exceeding inflation. These increases have added to the financial strain on households already grappling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Local councils frequently cite budgetary challenges—particularly the rising costs of social care—as justification for pushing up council tax rates. Yet, many residents struggle to reconcile these hikes with visible issues like pothole-ridden roads and, in Birmingham’s case, a prolonged bin strike.
Recent letters informing households of the latest council tax increases, effective from April, have become almost routine. Typically, councils have raised rates by around 5% annually—above the prevailing inflation rate. This is the maximum increase allowed without triggering a costly public referendum.
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Meanwhile, stagnant wages mean council tax consumes an ever-larger share of household budgets, a difficult reality for many after years marked by financial uncertainty.
In light of this, residents might be surprised to learn how much local authority chief executives earn. Remarkably, their salaries surpass that of the UK Prime Minister, whose annual salary stands at approximately £167,000.
Councils defend these high salaries by arguing that competitive pay is essential to attract and retain top leadership talent.
For example, Birmingham City Council’s managing director, Joanne Roney, earns between £240,121 and £312,149 according to official pay policy documents. Sandwell Council’s CEO Shokat Lal receives between £196,262 and £206,871. In Walsall, CEO Emma Bennett’s salary ranges from £188,079 to £212,075, while Dudley Council CEO Balvinder Heran is paid around £191,017. Wolverhampton City Council’s CEO, Tim Johnson, earns £205,000 annually.
These figures highlight a stark contrast between the rising financial burdens placed on residents and the substantial remuneration enjoyed by some of those at the helm of local government.