The deputy chief executive at Mid Sussex DC has defended the council's decision to award senior officers inflation-busting pay rises. Six senior officers are to get an average of £7,000 extra each, a move the council's deputy chief executive Kathryn Hall has justified, saying the officers have taken on more responsibilities. She said: ‘In the past four years the council has reduced the number of senior managers it employs from 15 down to 10 and this has saved tax payers £257,000.' She added that the reduction in senior staff at the council has contributed to savings of £2m in the past two years. But members of the opposition have criticised the rises, which were leaked from a confidential cabinet report. Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Brian Hall said: ‘At a time when many people in Mid Sussex are struggling to meet rising food, fuel and energy bills, it is wrong and hugely unfair to award these pay rises.' He is now asking for all pay decisions to be taken at council meetings.