A FREEDOM of Information request has revealed the remuneration packages given to St Albans District Council officers. The information, which was requested by a London man using the controversial act, shows the salaries, pension packages and other benefits

A FREEDOM of Information request has revealed the remuneration packages given to St Albans District Council officers.

The information, which was requested by a London man using the controversial act, shows the salaries, pension packages and other benefits awarded to the council's top earners.

Chief executive Daniel Goodwin earned �104, 985 last year - more than �2,000 up on the previous year - and taxpayers also contributed just under �29,000 towards his pension.

The council's chief finance officer, Colm O'Callaghan, was another high earner in the �76,419 to �82, 790 wage bracket and received nearly �20,200 in pension contributions.

Head of legal and democratic services, Mike Lovelady, took home between �48,360 and �66, 752, and was awarded with �18,290 of pension contributions.

Other heads of services, such as Richard Shwe in community and development, and Karen Dragovic in housing, were paid between �49,577 and �57, 412, and their pension contributions were matched by around �15,000 of council cash.

Head of internal audit, Piyush Fatania was paid between �39,125 and �45,222.

Council leader Robert Donald said that the salary packages were fairly standard compared to other district councils in and around London and the south as a whole.

He said that the high wages and good benefits were needed to attract the "best and the brightest" people to work for the council.