I was disappointed to see the Echo’s coverage about the salaries paid to senior staff at Dorset County Council (Council’s £2.5m gravy train), and would like to add some context which was lacking in the article.

There is no “gravy train” at the county council – staff at all levels work extremely hard.

In terms of the senior officers featured in the article, these posts carry huge responsibility for providing and supporting the delivery of essential services to residents in Dorset, ranging from social care and education to highways maintenance and waste management.

These individuals are responsible for large numbers of staff and, in some cases, budgets running into many millions of pounds.

Our top-level salaries are decided by elected members on the council’s staffing committee.

They are based on evidence gathered from a number of sources, including national guidance on appropriate salary levels for comparable posts and research into local salary levels.

We pay at the necessary level to attract and retain suitable candidates in a very competitive market. Dorset levels for our most senior officers are below the average for county councils.

Acknowledging the current economic situation, our salary scales for the chief executive and directors have been frozen since 2009.

Senior management costs have also been reduced by some 10 per cent over the past year as we restructure functions and services.

I continue to be amazed at the determination and grit demonstrated by all our staff as they cope with uncertainty, constant change, ever-increasing workloads and growing economic pressures whilst continuing to deliver public services vital to the people of Dorset.

Angus Campbell Leader of Dorset County Council County Hall Dorchester