CASH-STRAPPED Inverclyde Council paid out more than £800,000 in salaries to its seven highest earners last year.

The eye-watering figures were disclosed in the council's annual report for 2023/24, following an audit by accountants KPMG.

The same report also revealed that the council is facing a budget shortfall of more than £7 million to pay for vital services like schools and care for the elderly.

Top of the payments league last year was chief executive Louise Long, who received a salary of £140,205 - up from £133,273 the previous year.

Next was Kate Rocks, chief officer for Inverclyde health and social care Partnership, on £131,633.

Third was Ruth Binks, corporate director for education, communities and organisational development, who received 129,688 up from 122,320.

Stuart Jamieson, director of environment and regeneration, earned £117,984 compared to £111,282 in 2022/23.

Alan Puckrin, the local authority's chief financial officer, was paid £106,244;  Jonathan Hinds, head of children's services and chief social worker, got a salary of £101,331; and Iain Strachan, head of legal, earned £95,411 prior to his departure in March.

The total amount paid to the seven officers last year was £822,496.

They were also paid £171,000 in pension contributions by the council, up from £127,000.

The highest single pension payment was £27,000 to Ms Long.

The report also reveals that a total of 622 Inverclyde Council employees earned more than £50,000 in 2023/24, compared to 221 in 2022/23.

Inverclyde's 22 councillors were paid a total of £485,714, up from £472,522 the previous year.

The biggest single payment was to council leader Stephen McCabe who earned £33,798.

The second highest earner was Provost Drew McKenzie on £25,061.

Twelve designated senior councillors, including the leader and Provost, were also paid a total of £51,000 in pension contributions.

In the 190-page report, which was endorsed by councillors at a meeting last week, KPMG warned: "The council faces increasingly difficult decisions in relation to spending priorities, at the same time as communities are experiencing increased hardship due to the cost of living crisis."

Concerns in the same report were also expressed about standards of living in Inverclyde with almost 25 percent of children living in poverty and more than 20 percent of adults earning below the living wage.

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “Council salaries, including those of senior officials, are linked to pay scales approved nationally by Cosla and the Scottish Joint Council, and are outwith council control.

"Councillor salaries are set by the Scottish Government. Remuneration is at a level deemed appropriate for the duties and responsibilities."

The council also says the increases in the numbers of staff earning more than £50,000 was due to national pay rises awarded to teachers since 2023.

Their spokesperson added: "In the case of the senior management team – a team which has reduced significantly in number over the years – their pay reflects the responsibilities associated with running an organisation which is the biggest employer in Inverclyde.

“The number of services delivered every day to people living across Inverclyde is wide and directly impacts all who live here. 

"From schools to pavements, roads and street lights, to waste and recycling, libraries and Christmas lights, community health and social care, councillors and the senior management team oversee a varied and vast delivery of services.”