FIFTEEN council officers picked up salaries of more than £100,000 a year in both 2010/11 and 2011/12.

That figure saw Warrington Borough Council among the top 38 local authorities paying the high-level wages to 15 or more employees in a year.

And during that period, which also saw the council close libraries and reduce funding for a range of services, they picked up £3,825,305 between them.

The numbers were part of Taxpayers’ Alliance list of the highest paid council workers from across the country.

Over the course of the two years in Warrington there were two people to leave the council with two more taking their place the following year on the super salaries.

Picking up the biggest payout was the former director of people and improvement Rachel Robins in 2011/12 who picked up £309,450, which included £155,164 compensation when the post was made redundant.

Matthew Sinclair, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “Sadly, too many local authorities are still increasing the number of highly paid staff on their payroll, some of whom are given hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation just to move from one public sector job to another.

“Residents won't be impressed if their council pleads poverty when it is demanding more and more council tax, only then to spend it creating more town hall tycoons.”

But the council says it is now working to reduce the number of senior posts and reducing its wage bill.

A senior post was not replaced 18 months ago saving £125,000 a year and a restructuring programme currently ongoing has seen a further two senior posts go, with £200,000 in savings.

A council spokesman said: "The council continues to implement wage restraint and a relentless pursuit of efficiencies in senior management pay.

"We also recognise the complexity and demanding nature of the roles that senior management perform.

"The recent management restructure proposals demonstrate this approach with considerable efficiency savings to be the outcome.”