The six principal local authorities in Oxfordshire collectively disbursed in excess of £13 million in compensation for senior personnel during the previous fiscal year, according to figures compiled in the latest Town Hall Rich list.

Martin Reeves, who serves as chief executive of Oxfordshire County Council, emerged as the highest-paid individual with combined salary and pension contributions totalling £286,198, according to data published by the Taxpayers’ Alliance.

A second position within the county council, designated as undisclosed, ranked second on the list with remuneration of £237,500.

Rob MacDougall, who holds the position of chief fire officer at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, received £221,592 when salary and pension were combined.

Caroline Green, chief executive of Oxford City Council, took home £192,804 through her salary and pension package.

Cherwell District Council’s chief officer Gordon Stewart accepted £180,804, while the shared chief executive post covering both South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse districts earned £217,431. Giles Hughes, leading West Oxfordshire’s top administrative role, received £131,569.

When aggregated, the combined remuneration for chief executive positions across the six Oxfordshire councils exceeded £1 million, reaching £1,008,806.

Oxfordshire County Council accounts for 48 positions on the list of individuals earning in excess of £100,000 through salary and pension contributions, though the authority also delivers a broader range of services compared to the district councils.

It has been indicated that certain positions appearing as undisclosed in the Taxpayers’ Alliance compilation are actually roles based in schools.

A spokesperson stated that Oxfordshire County Council has achieved savings and diminished senior officer staffing numbers in recent years, and that forthcoming local government reorganisation would reduce the existing six councils serving Oxfordshire, generating additional savings relating to senior officer staffing levels.

Mark Stone, chief executive of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse councils, earned £217,431 but departed his position in September 2025.

Stephen Chandler, serving as executive director of people and transformation at the county council, alongside section 151 officer Lorna Baxter, each received £212,613 in the previous year.

Overall, 98 posts across the six councils earned more than £100,000 in salary including pension contributions, with a combined total of £13,489,632.

South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse responded that upon examination of the data source, the report appears to contain duplicated positions or may utilise two years’ worth of data, and that detailed comment would require analysis of the report’s figures. The council noted that the two districts share an executive team to deliver cost-effective services for local residents.

Oxford City Council commented that maintaining their position and advancing their ambitious agenda requires a robust and capable leadership team, that their compensation levels align with those of other local authorities, and that only 10 of the 59 senior leaders in Oxfordshire earning more than £100,000 are employed by the city council. The council added that local government reorganisation in 2028 would reduce senior management positions across all local authorities in Oxfordshire.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, stated that taxpayers find themselves in a difficult position, facing both the highest-ever tax burden and a public sector providing generous packages to senior staff. He noted that the latest Town Hall Rich List reveals an expanding class of council executives receiving six-figure compensation while simultaneously claiming financial constraints, reducing essential services, and implementing council tax rises substantially exceeding inflation. He suggested that residents can observe precisely how many local officials receive generous packages and form their own opinions regarding value for money.

Cherwell Council declined to offer commentary, and West Oxfordshire Council did not respond to requests for input.