VALE Council chief executive John Maitland Evans earns more than Prime Minister David Cameron - according to figures released for the financial year 2009/10.

The authority reported that Mr Maitland Evans earned £146,417, after the Barry & District News submitted a request for his renumeration details, under the Freedom of Information Act.

The sum included £3,391 earned as returning officer for the European election in June 2009 - a figure funded by the relevant election authority and not by the council.

The figure for the year 2010/11 is unavailable until the end of this financial year.

Prime minister David Cameron took a five per cent pay cut when he took office and earns £142,500 per year.

But chief executive of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), Steve Thomas said: "These are big salaries, but they are big jobs.

"I think people appreciate that the chief executive's job is very difficult and it takes many years to get to that position.

"There has got to be a relativity to the functions people perform."

Mr Maitland Evans' responsibilities this year will include overseeing a programme of spending cuts.

The Vale Council is currently looking to cut spending, and has so far announced it will axe four school crossing patrols to save £15,000 per year in a move that has angered parents.

At the time of going to press, the Vale Council had not responded with a comment.