Campaign group the TaxPayers’ Alliance has today (April 14) released its 2026 Town Hall Rich List, detailing council employees across the UK who receive £100,000 or more in salaries, bonuses and pensions within a single financial year.
The list reveals that 29 employees at Leeds City Council earned more than £100,000 in the 2024–2025 financial year - up from 24 in 2024. Local authorities are only required to name employees whose salaries exceed £150,000.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said that the salaries paid to its chief officers are “consistent with the duties they are required to undertake”, with salary grades benchmarked and evaluated “according to the size and scope of each individual role.”
The authority added: “Leeds is the country’s second biggest unitary council and remains open and transparent about its salary levels. The number of staff earning over £100,000 represents 0.20 per cent of the workforce.
“Like all local authorities, Leeds City Council has faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years due to increased demand for services, and the council’s senior management team have played an important role in coordinating the city’s response.”
Below, we look at the 29 employees who earned more than £100,000 in the 2024-2025 financial year. Please note that unnamed employees have been grouped together, and that two employees on the list - former chief executive Tom Riordan and director of city development Martin Farrington - both stepped down from their roles during the financial year.
13. Julie Longworth - £193,130
Julie Longworth is the council's director of children and families. She earned a salary of £166,779, with £26,351 in pension contributions and a total package of £193,130. | Leeds City Council
14. James Rogers - £201,214
James Rogers (left) is the council's director of communities, housing and environment. He earned a salary of £173,760, with £27,454 in pension contributions and a total package of £201,214. In addition to disclosed remuneration, he also received £11,000 in relation to deputy returning officer role during national elections. | Johnston Press Resell
15. Mariana Pexton - £211,286
Mariana Pexton is the local authority's director of strategy and resources. She earned a salary of £182,457, with £28,829 in pension contributions and a total package of £211,286. She was appointed acting chief executive between 23 September 2024 and 6 January 2025. | Local Library