THE latest rich list for council staff revealed eight people working for the five authorities in Gwent in 2008/09 earned more than £100,000.

The area’s highest earner was Caerphilly council’s chief executive, Stuart Rosser, who earned £132,674, while his colleague Nigel Barnett, director of corporate services, earned £100,856. No breakdown of their earnings was provided by the councils.

Elsewhere, Newport council’s former managing director, Christopher Freeguard, earned £125,737, which included a salary of between £116,836 and £134,638, a car allowance of £1,270 and mileage and travel expenses of £307. His colleague Graham Bingham, corporate director, earned £110,560, including a salary of between £96,188 and £106,875, car allowance of £706, relocation costs of £8,000 and £321 on mileage.

Both have since retired from Newport council.

Blaenau Gwent council’s chief executive Robin Morrison earned £108,959, including a salary of between £93,309 and £100,335, fees related to company directorship of more than £10,000 and car expenses of £849.

His colleague Phil Hodgson, corporate director of social services, earned around £100,000, including a salary of between £92,070 and £100,144, mileage claims for £1,222 and car expenses of £849.

Monmouthshire council’s chief executive at the time, Colin Berg, earned £107,579, which included a salary of £105,756, essential car user of £1,095 and mileage costs of £728.08.

In Torfaen, chief executive Alison Ward earned £119,619, including a salary of between £110,000 and £119,999, mileage costs of £1,515 and returning officer’s fees of £2,656.

The figures were released to the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) under the Freedom of Information Act to compile the alliance’s annual Town Hall Rich List for all UK councils.