ENFIELD Council has refused to say exactly how much money it is paying its top executives – for the second year in a row.

In the wake of increased scrutiny of MPs' expenses and increased pressure on front lines services as a result of the recession, Enfield Council is one of 23 of local authorities actively refusing to hand over details of which council officials earn over £100,000.

Sources claim that chief executive Rob Leak’s wage packet is over 190,000 with his annual bonus – not far off that of prime minster Gordon Brown who is paid £194,000. The council's annual accounts show that 12 officers are paid over £100,000, with the top earner, likely to be the chief executive, earning a base salary of between £180,000 and £189,000.

Last year, only six people were paid over £100,000.

The council awarded payrises of 2.5 per cent to all its staff last year, according to the UNISON website, while senior executives would also have enjoyed bonuses.

The information was revealed by campaign group TaxPayers' Alliance which compiles an annual town hall "rich list", aiming to uncover names, positions and full remuneration of senior council officers.

Policy analyst at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, Ben Farrugia said: “We have done quite a few freedom of information requests in Enfield, and they were in a small minority who explicity refused to answer. They are always quite stubborn.

“We always ask for specific salaries but salary bands are enough. What is important to us though is that the person and the position are disclosed. It’s the only way to hold people to account, which is what this is all about. The Information Commissioner sits firmly in our camp saying someone earning £100,000 is much less protected than someone earning £40,000.”

The Information Commissioner (the independent watchdog on access to official information) says that “information which is about someone acting in an official or work capacity should normally be provided on request unless there is some risk to the individual concerned."

Adrian Bishop-Leggett, Chairman of Federation of Enfield Residents Associations said: “We know how much other Chief Executives in other areas are paid. I don’t think there is any risk to the individual concerned in this case and I would urge the high earners in the council to reveal what they earn to the public.”

Mohter-of-one Katy Teather, 39, of Winchmore Hill, said: "I think they should be held accountable, and we have the right to know if it is taxpayers' money. Not revealing it is slightly sinister and you automatically assume that there is something going on."

Ertan Huhrer, the cabinet member for finance, said: "I will raise this issue tonight with the legal team.

"I have asked for further clarification and would be prepared to revisit it. I will make sure that one way or the other it is dealt with."

A council spokeswoman said: "The council does not discuss the salaries of any individuals that it employs, but the broad salary bands indicate salary levels of all staff.

"Salaries to a small number of senior staff are in excess of £100,000 reflecting the degree of responsibility and importance that is attached to their work.

"To maintain this level of excellence and to attract talented people to Enfield Council, salaries will always be competitive within the public sector. The aim is to retain staff that can deliver value for money services."