West Sussex council bosses will get an above-inflation pay rise this year, costing an annual £455,000.
The 3.5 per cent increase, backdated to July 1, will be paid to 206 staff on management grades and 42 service directors, their deputies and unit bosses at West Sussex County Council.
The current inflation rate is 2.2 per cent but the man who approved the rise says statistics on pay from various sources were used.
Councillor Colin Waller, Cabinet member for resources, said: "The increase is identical to what other county council staff are receiving and inflation does not necessarily reflect what is happening in the wages world."
The pay rise will cost £337,000 in the current financial year increasing to £455,000 in a full year.
Coun Waller maintained the pay rise would not push up council tax bills.
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