The move will cost Northumberland County Council an extra £6,200 every month to keep three senior officials in post.

Council leader Peter Hillman unilaterally granted the payments at a time when the authority is seeking to slash £4.7million from budgets.
Chief executive Mark Henderson, who was on around £150,000 a year, deputy chief executive Jill Dixon, who was paid about £110,000, and finance director Steven Mason, who earned around £100,000, have been receiving the extra wages since October.

Mark Henderson's wage will now have increased to about £180,000, which relates to around £15,000 a month. He earns in one month about the same as the average north Northumberland resident earns in one year.

Jill Dixon's wage will have increased to about £132,000 and Steven Mason's to £120,000.

Coun Hillman said he was happy to nod through the salary increases to ensure the officers stay with the authority until it is wound up next year when unitary government takes over.

But disgruntled north Northumberland councillors have spoken about their disgust at the hike in earnings.

Coun Gordon Castle, county member for Alnwick, said: "I am surprised to hear that this matter has been decided upon without the knowledge or approval of the council. As an elected member without the power to approve such matters, I think there is a danger of payments spiralling out of control."

Coun John Taylor, member for Longhoughton, said: "I am astounded at the fact that none of the members knew anything about it."

Coun Sue Bolam, member for Rothbury, said: "It was allowed for in the transitional process in the small print, but it never went through any democratic process.

"How it was structured doesn't give any indication whether it is a one-off rise or an annual one.

"What has annoyed me is that there wasn't any consultation. It is just again an example of the undemocratic way that the county council conducts itself.

"It should have been dealt with through the Cabinet. Even though it was within Coun Hillman's delegated powers the least they could have done is to announce it. It seems so underhand. The new council will be a very different one."

Coun Hughie Philipson, member for Lesbury said: "I am astonished – it is totally unacceptable."

Coun Robert Arckless, member for Amble said: "This is not a normal, run-of-the-mill local government situation. We are in the middle of the biggest changes in 20 odd years and it does mean that there are going to have to be some different decisions made."

Coun Hillman defended his decision: "It is completely understandable for staff in times of uncertainty to want more security and to look for other jobs.