Chief executives say their workload has grown heavier in the last year and expect it to worsen, but they still enjoy their job, according to a new survey by the Municipal Year Book.

The online poll, sent to chief executives as well as chief officers and senior managers last month, also confirmed huge discrepancies in salary levels for chief executives. Whereas many district chiefs earned £70,000-£90,000, the salaries were almost double for those running county councils.