The chief executive of Neath Port Talbot Council has turned down a two per cent salary increase.

Steven Phillips, who is the highest paid employee of the local authority earns £136,952.

The Joint National Council for Chief Executives of local authorities confirmed earlier this month that an agreement had been reached on pay awards applicable in 2018 and 2019.

A pay increase of two per cent will apply from April 2018 and April 2019.

However, in a report which went before councillors on the personnel committee on Monday, June 25, officers said Mr Phillips had declined the increase applicable from April 2018.

The chief executive is the senior officer who leads and takes responsibility of the council which employs around 5,700 staff.

Mr Phillips, who has been in post for nine years works closely with elected members to deliver the strategic aims of the council.

According to this year’s pay policy statement the chief executive routinely works in the evenings and on weekends as well as the standard Monday to Friday business week.

He also heads the ‘on call’ arrangements particularly to cover emergency planning arrangements.

Before joining the council, Mr Phillips was a corporate director with Cardiff Council.