ESSEX fire service has hit back at claims its chief fire officer has had a big pay increase at a time when it is having to make huge cuts.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service faces between £8milion and £10million in cuts.

The service hit out at a “malicious and inaccurate circular”, which claimed Chief Fire Officer David Johnson and director of finance and treasurer, Mike Clayton, had been given massive pay rises.

The e-mail circulating among firefighters claims that, comparing their pay six years ago to today, the pair had each received the equivalent of about £1,000 extra a month.

Essex Fire Authority chairman, Tony Hedley, said the service was a public body and details of its senior executive pay were “open and transparent”.

Mr Johnson’s package – which included basic pay, special allowances, health insurance and employer’s pension contribution – came to a total of £181,630 in 2009/10, less than the £201,771 he got in 2008/09. Mr Clayton received £136,394 in 2009/10, compared with £173,968 in the previous year.

Figures for six years ago were in a different format and unavailable.

Mr Hedley said: “Both the Chief Fire Officer’s and the treasurer’s salaries are in line with other fire and rescue services in the UK, and reflect the considerable responsibilities that go with both posts.

“They work extremely hard on behalf of the fire authority and the communities of Essex, and they will be required to take some difficult decisions and lead considerable changes over the next couple of years.

“These salaries have never been a secret and details are publicly available on the service website. The figures quoted by these sources are exaggerated and inaccurate.”

He continued: “Essex County Fire and Rescue Service senior management imposed a voluntary, two-year pay freeze ahead of the Government’s requirement to do so, which demonstrated leadership and an awareness of the current financial climate. It is true to say the Chief Fire Officer was awarded additional remuneration earlier this year, but that was to reflect increased responsibilities in taking over management of the county council’s emergency planning portfolio.

“That rise was funded by efficiencies and his appointment and the service’s involvement in managing this function for Essex has already delivered savings in the region of £180,000 annually.”