FIFE Council's chief executive earns more than the Prime Minister, a new study has found.

Chief Executive Steve Grimmond earned a remuneration package of £207,190 in 2016/17, according to figures in the annual town hall rich list published by the TaxPayers' Alliance.

Mr Grimmond's package that year was made up of a salary of £148,610, £23,508 in other payments and £35,072 of employer pension contributions, while Theresa May is on a salary of £150,000.

However, the Prime Minister’s wage is also made of perks such as free residency at number 10 and a big pension.

The pay packets of council employees earning over £100,000 was announced just a few weeks after Fifers learnt that they would be facing a 3% council tax rise.

But the stats do show that the spend on big packets has been reined in with the number of officers on more than £100,000 falling by 38 per cent compared to the previous year, from 13 to 5.

John O'Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "After years of excess, councils have woken up to reality and are slimming down senior management teams.

"It's good news for taxpayers that the number of very high earners is falling, but there are still far too many astronomical pay-offs for those leaving employment.

"More than £1 million was spent getting rid of just five Scottish town hall staff in 2017, despite the Government's supposed clampdown on golden goodbyes."

Mr Grimmon received £23,508 as the returning officer for elections, as well as his salary and pension contributions.

Jacqui Cameron, HR Service Manager at Fife Council, said: “Salaries for council Chief Executives across Scotland are set by COSLA as part of a national collective agreement with the relevant Trade Unions and representative bodies.

“Fife Council, which has over 17,000 employees, has only 5 members of staff with salaries over £100,000. They are the council’s executive team. Their salaries are a matter of public record.”