Basildon Council’s chief executive Bala topped up his £151,929 basic annual salary in the last financial year with bonuses of £22,925.

Mr Mahendran was also paid a further £3,391 on stop of this as an allowance for attending evening meetings, plus £4,891 for acting as returning officer at the council elections.

The figures were released by the Taxpayers’ Alliance yesterday as part of its annual Town Hall Rich List.

Executive directors at Basildon Council Doug Smith, in charge of regeneration and housing, and Mick Nice, in charge of finances, earned £129,553 and £130,317 respectively.

Mr Smith’s wage included a bonus of £8,475 and evening meeting allowance of £3,256, while Mr Nice’s included the same bonus and meetings allowance of £3,860.

The council pointed out it published executive pay figures on its website last October.

Gerry Levelle, Basildon Council’s head of corporate services, said Mr Mahendran was chief executive of one of the largest and most diverse district councils in England providing a wide range of statutory and discretionary services to some 170,000 residents.

He added: “The council is also engaged in extensive regeneration projects at locations across the district, valued at around £1.5billion. Bala also plays a broader role within the business community, supporting large and small businesses.

“The role of chief executive also requires regular attendance at evening meetings which include council meetings, private meetings with members and officers as well as business and community events and meetings.”