THE chief executive of Cambridgeshire County Council will take a five per cent pay cut, it was revealed today.

Mark Lloyd’s salary will be cut from just under �196,000 to just over �186,000 - and comes on top of a self-imposed 30-month freeze through the economic downturn.

Mr Lloyd, who has held talks on a number of matters with new leader Nick Clarke, made the gesture in support of the ongoing cuts in local government.

A county council spokesman said today: “We can confirm that the county council’s Chief Executive, Mark Lloyd, has taken a voluntary pay cut of five per cent of salary with effect from July 1.

“Following the reduction, Mark Lloyd’s salary will reduce from �195,966 to �186.167.70. He has also not taken any of the pay increases to which he has been entitled over the past three years. Mark receives no other supplementary income or bonuses.”

Mr Lloyd’s move has been welcomed by the leader of the county council, Councillor Nick Clarke.

In his latest blog, Cllr Clarke said: “As head of paid service, Mark leads the council’s workforce. It is an incredibly demanding, stressful and hugely responsible role. His leadership also has to be strong.

“One of the most important characteristics of a really good leader, I’ve always felt, is the ability to lead by example.

“And when residents are finding life tough, and tightening their belts because money is tight, councils can’t be out of step with what the people who pay for services are experiencing.

“Those at the top, like Mark, are well rewarded for the difficult job they do. So, it is very pleasing that Mark has chosen to lead by example, and announced he will be taking a voluntary five per cent pay cut from July 1.

“Mark has also chosen not to take any of the pay increases to which he’s been entitled over the past three years. This makes his pay now five per cent less than when he started at the council in March 2008.

“It’s an important act, and part of a general picture of wage restraint at the council that demonstrates it the right thing. There won’t be any performance related pay increases at the council this year, for example.

“The county council has a strong track record of financial management. But public expectation now goes beyond just good stewardship of public funds. We are meeting those expectations, walking the talk, and in doing so, we are demonstrating that we are doing right by residents.”