Dorset County Council had the most employees earning more than £100,000 per year out of the whole of the South West.

According to the latest figures released by Tax Payers Alliance, based on data from financial year 2017/18, the council employed 16 people who were paid more than £100,000 per year.

However, the Chief Executive of the new Dorset Council said that reducing this cost was one of the reasons for the creation of the new unitary authority.

Matt Prosser, Chief Executive of Dorset Council, said: “We have been working hard in the face of ever-reducing funding from government in order to find reductions in costs at the same time as providing a high standard of service to our residents.

“Dorset Council was formed in order to meet the challenge of these cuts head on. The process of replacing six councils with one has involved a reduction in the number of senior officer posts, for example we have reduced the number of Chief Executives from four to one.

“In total, 23 posts across the predecessor councils has reduced to just seven posts for Dorset Council. By removing duplication and reducing management overheads, we will achieve significant cost reductions.

“Not only does this mean no cuts to front line services, but increases to funding for key services such as maintaining roads, care and education of children, waste collection, social care for vulnerable older and disabled people, housing, libraries, parks and much more.”