A NEWLY-APPOINTED council chief executive is one of the highest paid leaders in the country, despite the borough having one of the smallest populations.

Graham Farrant, who took over at Thurrock Council from interim boss Bob Coomber, on August 2, is taking home £197,050 a year, including pension contributions.

This ranks him the 12th-highest paid chief executive out of 55 unitary authorities in the country.

However, Thurrock ranks just 40 out of 55 in terms of population size, with 151,600 inhabitants.

Thurrock’s Tory MP Jackie Doyle-Price hit out at the salary, pointing out Prime Minister David Cameron takes home £142,500 for running the country.

She said: “It is ridiculous the chief executive of a small unitary authority like Thurrock is paid more than the Prime Minister.

“However, it is symptomatic of the pay deals many senior public servants can command these days.

“This is why this Government is taking steps to curb their pay deals.”

Garry Hague, Tory leader of the opposition on the council, said: “It is far in excess of the salary originally advertised for the position.”

The figure was revealed by the council after the GMB union said it was concerned at how much council chief executives were paid.

Paul Hayes, regional secretary for the eastern region, said: “Council workers will be sickened to learn how much their bosses are creaming off.

“This is at a time when councils say they are hard-up and are slashing jobs and services, while telling staff to put up with a pay freeze.

“These same chief executives have had the gall to say their lowest paid workers will not get a pay rise this year.”

A Thurrock Council spokesman said: “The salary is in line with the that advertised in the recruitment process. Mr Farrant is keen to take the council forward and generate confidence in our abilities to deliver in Thurrock’s communities.”