Bexley Council’s chief executive was one of the highest paid people in local government last year.

Will Tuckley was paid £258,782 in the financial year 2010 to 2011, making him the sixth highest earner across the country’s 426 local authorities and third in London - not including those paid extra for redundancy.

The figures were compiled in pressure group the Taxpayers’ Alliance’s (TPA) Town Hall Rich List, published last week.

TPA chief executive Matthew Elliot said taxpayers would be "astonished" by its findings.

Last year, Mr Tuckley did not receive a bonus - but his total was still 3.25 per cent higher than the £250,627 he received in 2009/10.

Bexley Council said 2010 to 2011 was an “exceptional year” with Mr Tuckley being paid £18,577 for election duties in both general and local elections in May 2010.

This year the council said he received less - £245,509 in total - and again defended the sum by pointing out that the council is the largest employer in the borough with a turnover of more than £500million.

A spokesman said: “The salaries paid to senior staff, including that of the Chief Executive, reflect the significant scale and responsibility of the roles and the competitive market for candidates of the calibre required to lead a successful Council.”

The TPA list revealed seven Bexley Council employees earned more than £100,000 in 2010 to 2011.

The council said three of the posts have been cut and others "significantly broadened in scope".

The spokesman added: “We have reduced our most senior management by 33 per cent and the next tier by 25 per cent. Changes to the Council’s management structures will contribute savings of £1.6m per annum.”

Benefits for senior staff have been reduced and no cost of living award has been made for three years, the spokesman said.

In February, 75-year-old Elwyn Bryant, of Salisbury Road in Bexley, presented a petition with 2,219 signatures to Bexley Council which demanded a £100,000 salary cap.

Mr Bryant said he was not surprised Mr Tuckley featured so high on the list.

He said: "We go round with the petition and people are quite aghast."

Bexley Council dismissed the petition as "inaccurate, misleading and inappropriate" and rejected it under a council rule which says staff salaries should not be discussed at public meetings.

Mr Bryant said: "No one, including the residents, can do anything about it. It is not democracy."

What was Will Tuckley paid?

2010 to 11 / 2011 to 2012

Salary £185,747 / £185,397

Expenses £2,682 / £2,829

Benefits in Kind £10,819 / £10,381

Pension contribution £40,957 / £38,728

Payment for elections £18,577 / £8,174

How does Will stack up?

Bexley Council chief executive Will Tuckley £258,782 (TPA)

Mayor of London Boris Johnson £213,749 total income, of which £133,117 is salary

Prime Minister David Cameron £142,500 salary

Directors and chief executives of major organisations £112,157 (thisismoney.co.uk)

Aircraft pilots £71,555 (thisismoney.co.uk)

Librarian £22,411 (thisismoney.co.uk)

Taxi driver £13,476 (thisismoney.co.uk)

Bar staff £6,058 (thisismoney.co.uk)