The chief executive of Kingston Council has become the highest paid public servant in the borough following the appointment of a new university vice chancellor.

Bruce McDonald, the most senior council officer, receives a total remuneration of £222,000 a year – £179,000 in salary and £43,000 in employer’s pension contribution.

Former Kingston University vice-chancellor Sir Peter Scott previously topped the list of Kingston’s best paid public sector employees until his retirement in December 2010, receiving a total of £228,000 in 2009-10.

This week the university said his successor Julius Weinberg, who took office on Friday, April 1 will receive £190,000 in salary and £30,400 in employer’s pension contribution – a total of £220,400.

In January, the council’s executive member for finance Councillor Rolson Davies asked senior staff take a voluntary 10 per cent pay cut after the council’s government grant was cut by £8m.

The council this week confirmed none had agreed to do so.

Nadine Houghton of the GMB union said: “In Kingston we are looking at a possibility where 326 teaching assistants are facing losing 15-25 per cent of their annual income.

“They are looking after the children in our community.

“It’s hypocrisy where these workers are facing this severe action and someone who is ridiculously overpaid refuses to step up to the plate.”

This month council staff earning more than £21,000 saw their pay frozen for the second year running.

A council spokesman said: “Over the last year, the council has reduced its senior management numbers and costs as part of the One Council programme by £420,000, which is a saving of 12.5 per cent on the senior management pay bill.

“We are setting a further target for a further 12 per cent reduction.”

Councillors receive a basic allowance of £7,500, while Councillor Derek Osbourne, leader of the council, is paid £38,500.

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey saw his salary increase by 36 per cent in May 2010 when became a junior minister, taking his pay to £89,435.