Somerset Council's chief executive and senior officers will receive a 3.2% pay rise this year, backdated to April and costing the authority £121,400 in total — around £38,000 more than originally budgeted.

The increase brings Chief Executive Duncan Sharkey's salary from £206,870 to around £213,500, with executive directors now earning up to £158,670 and senior directors over £124,000.

The pay rise, in line with national agreements under the Local Government Services 'Green Book', was confirmed by the council's HR committee in a short meeting on Tuesday (September 9). Somerset Council had opted out of national pay negotiations for chief executives, meaning the change required formal local approval.

The council had budgeted for a 2% rise costing £83,600. The additional £37,800 needed to fund the 3.2% increase will come from reserves.

HR policy lead Michelle Anderson said the increase reflected a cost-of-living adjustment, not a performance-related bonus. Councillor Sarah Wakefield noted the award was modest given current inflation pressures: "It's not a huge award, quite frankly."

There will be no further salary review until at least March 2026.

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