SIX MONTHS' PAY FOR COUNCIL CHIEF ON QUITTING JOB

18 February 2006

Controversial chief executive Tim Thorogood did pick up six months' worth of pay when he left Swansea Council, it has been confirmed. But council leader Chris Holley has stood by his claims that the council did not give Mr Thorogood a pay-off worth £60,000.

However, he has admitted that the deal struck between the council and Mr Thorogood, allowing him to leave, WAS worth six months salary.

A council source has confirmed that Mr Thorogood was paid an annual salary of £120,000.However, when asked about the value of the pay-off, Councillor Holley originally said: "I can tell you it's less."

He went on to say that the deal was "good value for the people of Swansea".

A letter to Labour group leader David Phillips revealed that Mr Thorogood's deal was in fact worth half-a-year's salary, £60,000, but Councillor Holley is standing by his original comments.

He said: "My comment was about how much he got paid - and what he got paid was less than £60,000.

"I can confirm that what's written in the letter is correct and I can confirm that he received the equivalent of six months salary."

Mr Thorogood resigned from the council following a planning row over his Rhossili home. He had been accused of breaking planning rules and was suspended for three weeks ahead of an internal investigation.

When he left the council, that inquiry was dropped, but planners were continuing to look at the case.

It has also emerged that Mr Thorogood will be given a reference from Swansea Council.

Councillor Holley said: "To comply with the law, if we are asked for a reference we will give one.

"We have to give out a factual reference and that is what it is."

The letter from the council's acting chief executive Bob Carter says: "The agreement involved the equivalent of six months pay, incorporating three months contractual notice and accrued holiday pay and an element to compromise potential claims."

Labour group leader Councillor Phillips has now demanded answers over the pay-off and the true cost to the council.

He said: "In light of this letter, Chris Holley has got some explaining to do."Either he was misled or he has misled everyone else."

ONE RULE FOR THEM

16 February 2006

Like many others, your correspondent Alcwyn T Price (Have Your Say, February 8) seeks an explanation for the retrospective sanctioning of the former Swansea Council chief executive's garage alterations and considers that the planning department is a law unto itself. This particularly relates to the council's own schemes, where less stringent rules seem to apply.

Projects can be inadequately researched and documented, necessitating queries which may wait months for reluctant answers.Biased or misleading information can be fed to councillors.

For example, the relevant planning committee was told the new siting of the Slip Bridge "would seek to retain the trees on the Mumbles Road side".

In fact they were cut down, with the result that the proclaimed object of retaining the trees "to soften the visual impact of the view of the bridge" was not achieved. Its starkness remains for all to see.

In the case of the new educational centre in Singleton's botanic garden, the planning committee was assured that "it is not proposed to provide any additional car parking or coach parking as a result of the development".

This undertaking was intended to assuage the fears of local residents that the centre would encourage more cars to enter Singleton Park.

In fact, a fair-sized car park has been created without planning permission on the nursery land immediately behind the building. Councillors were told the siting of the building "would create a sense of enclosure to the garden" and would not harm the setting of Sidney Heath's listed Georgian fountain. Visitors can now see that both assurances are highly disputable.

It is unfortunate the council has abandoned the intended independent investigation that would have evaluated the planning department's role in the garage saga. This should not, however, prevent the council from establishing its own review of the department's performance and procedures in consultation with dissatisfied taxpayers.

Rus Davies, Cwmrhydyceirw, Swansea

EX-COUNCIL CHIEF STILL FACES GARAGE PROBE

4 February 2006 - South Wales Evening Post

Former city boss Tim Thorogood could still face action for breaking planning rules despite leaving Swansea Council. The council's £120,000-a-year chief executive left his post this week with a golden goodbye package understood to be worth around £60,000.

He had been the subject of an internal investigation but that has now been dropped as he is no longer a council employee.

However, planning officers will continue to look at a garage at his Rhossili home and could order him to pull it down if planning rules have been broken.

He was officially suspended from his post ahead of an internal inquiry last month.

However, in a shock move it was announced on Thursday that he would be quitting the council with immediate effect.

A council spokesman confirmed that the planning matter was not dead and would be dealt with.

He said: "In cases where there is an allegation of a breach of a planning application, the policy of the council is to contact applicants to discuss the issues raised and consider with them the way forward.

"This is the process that is being followed in this case."

The decision to allow Mr Thorogood to leave before the completion of the internal investigation has been heavily criticised.

Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd said: "I find it very difficult to believe that a council employee lower down the scale would be treated with such generosity when faced with disciplinary investigation.

"Had the disciplinary investigation continued as planned then I am sure that Tim Thorogood would have been sacked from his post with no mention of a package."

Leader of Swansea's Plaid Cymru councillors, Darren Price, said that it was important to keep the investigation alive.

He said: "I feel it is vitally important that the investigation surrounding the issues with Mr Thorogood's planning application continues.

"The truth surrounding this whole affair must come to light.

"The fact that the chief executive has left the authority should not mean that the issue dies down."

When the announcement came, Labour group leader David Phillips described it as "entirely inappropriate".

The row erupted following a decision to grant planning consent for the garage at Mr Thorogood's home in December 2004.

He was then instructed to submit a further application as the final design was significantly different from the plans.

There were further allegations of more building work on the garage that triggered an official complaint.

In the wake of Mr Thorogood's departure, council leader Chris Holley defended the deal.

He also denied that Mr Thorogood had received a £60,000 pay-off.

"I can tell you it's less," he said.

"We've actually had a legal agreement and the agreement was then put past our external auditors and both of them are satisfied.

"So I'm quite confident the package is most prudent and also legal and it's good value for the people of Swansea.

"I think the taxpayers will be delighted that we've come to an agreement that does not drag on for months and months and months and adds countless tens of thousands of pounds to a bill."

How much did council pay boss after he quit?

4 February 2006 - Western Mail

A Welsh local authority was under growing pressure last night to reveal how much its former chief executive was paid after resigning his £120,000-a-year post.

Tim Thorogood, who had been in charge of Swansea City and County Council's 12,000 workers for almost three years, stepped down this week over a planning row at his luxury home.

The 46-year-old had gained retrospective planning permission for a garage at the Gower property on the grounds it was only to be used as a garage or workroom. But he was then suspended pending an investigation amid complaints the building had been fitted with Velux roof windows and other features.

Now opposition councillors claim he may have walked away with up to £60,000 as part of a negotiated departure deal.

But the Western Mail understands that figure to be closer to £45,000 based on payments in lieu of three months' minimum notice, holiday entitlements and other payments.

Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd said yesterday, "I find it bizarre a council employee who faced allegations about planning matters has been offered such a sum. Why should the taxpayers of Swansea be paying somebody to leave office?

"I find it very difficult to believe that a council employee lower down the scale would be treated with such generosity when faced with disciplinary investigation."

But the council leader, Liberal Democrat Chris Holley, flatly denied the £60,000 figure yesterday.

He said, "I can tell you it's less. We've actually had a legal agreement and the agreement was then put past our external auditors and both of them are satisfied.

"So I'm quite confident the package is most prudent and also legal and it's good value for the people of Swansea.

"The taxpayers will be delighted that we've come to an agreement that does not drag on for months and months and months and adds countless tens of thousands of pounds to a bill."

A council source said yesterday it would have cost £1,000 a day to hire a QC to oversee a disciplinary investigation into the issue which could have lasted two months.

Labour group leader David Phillips said, "This might be good value but where is the justice?"

He wants a full public explanation of the deal the authority has made with Mr Thorogood.

The chief executive had been suspended on his full £10,000- a-month pay.

He was asked to leave his desk just before Christmas after questions were raised over work done to the garage at his detached home Broad Park, overlooking Rhossili Bay.

An investigation, due to be completed within two months, had focused on an application made for a detached garage and workshop at Mr Thorogood's property.

Swansea council had said there "was a case" for Mr Thorogood to answer, and that an independent investigator would be appointed to oversee the investigation.

Mr Holley said yesterday that nobody had forced Mr Thorogood to resign.

He said, "It's down to the fact that once a certain decision had been raised then I think perhaps he thought, 'what's the point, I may as well go'."

The council's Plaid group leader Darren Price said the planning issues involved should also be made public.

"The fact the chief executive has left should not mean that the issue dies down," he said.

"The people of Swansea deserve to know the exact nature of what went on during this period - after all it has cost them thousands."

But the disciplinary action against Mr Thorogood has now been dropped.

And a council source said yesterday that it was likely the planning issue would be forgotten.

The source said, "It is now a planning matter between a private individual living on Gower and the council.

"If there is something there which has not had planning approval it might be subject to enforcement action but that has to be looked into."

Swansea's deputy chief executive Bob Carter is now acting chief executive until a new chief is appointed.

Council defends chief's pay-off

3 February 2005- BBC Wales Website

The leader of Swansea Council has defended the 'compromise package' paid to the authority's chief executive, who has resigned since being suspended.

Chris Holley denied claims that Tim Thorogood was paid six months' money as he quit his £120,000-a-year post.

Mr Thorogood was suspended pending an investigation into a planning issue at his home. He accepted minor planning breaches but had denied misconduct.

Mr Holley said an agreement was reached to let him resign as soon as possible.

Mr Thorogood was suspended in January, and had been off work after questions were raised in December over work done to his house in Rhossili, Gower.

The council announced on Thursday night that he had quit with immediate effect.

Liberal Democrat Mr Holley said Mr Thorogood had "made a huge contribution to Swansea" and he wished him "every success".

He said "He has been an inspiration and driving force behind many improvements to the council. He's laid the groundwork for the council to become a top performing organisation."

On Friday, Mr Holley told BBC Wales the financial deal struck with Mr Thorogood's negotiators included a confidentiality clause, but he "categorically" denied opposition councillors' claims he had been paid six months' salary.

He said: "I can tell you it's less.

"We've actually had a legal agreement and the agreement was then put past our external auditors and both of them are satisfied.

"So I'm quite confident the package is most prudent and also legal and it's good value for the people of Swansea.

"I think the taxpayers will be delighted that we've come to an agreement that does not drag on for months and months and months and adds countless tens of thousands of pounds to a bill."

Mr Holley said nobody had forced Mr Thorogood to resign.

He said: "I think it's down to the fact that once a certain decision had been raised then I think perhaps he thought, 'what's the point, I may as well go'."

The investigation had focused on an application made for a detached garage and workshop at Mr Thorogood's property.

Mr Thorogood, who took up the post three years ago, was given approval for the garage retrospectively.

Swansea council had said there "was a case" for Mr Thorogood to answer, and that an independent investigator would be appointed to oversee an investigation.

However, a spokesman for the council said disciplinary action against Mr Thorogood had now been dropped.

Planning-row council boss quits to 'take career in different direction'

3 Feb 2006 - Western Mail

A COUNCIL chief has resigned his £120,000-a-year job after a row over a luxurious-looking "garage" at his home.

Tim Thorogood, Swansea City and Council's chief executive, made the announcement yesterday saying he "planned to develop his career in a different direction".

The 46-year-old had been in charge of 11,000 council staff but was asked to leave his County Hall desk last December after complaints about extra building work on a garage at his Gower property.

Mr Thorogood and his magistrate wife Alison, a complaints officer with neighbouring Neath Port Talbot Council, had applied for planning permission to build the garage at their detached home overlooking picturesque Rhossili Bay in 2004.

Mr Thorogood, a lover of horse riding and sailing who keeps a yacht in Swansea Marina, had previously been head of support services at London's Haringey Council. When he took up his post at Swansea's seafront County Hall, he said, "I have died and come to heaven."

He was officially suspended last month while councillors looked into the allegations about the extent of work on the garage. The Gower Society, local community councillors and neighbours had complained that it had windows with curtains and other fittings inside.

The council said it had up to two months to carry out the investigation but Mr Thorogood announced his resignation yesterday.

He said, "I had originally intended working for Swansea for no longer than five years and I have decided in the circumstances simply to leave at this point to develop my career in a different direction.

"Both the council and the city have achieved much in the past few years - Swansea is definitely a place with a future.

"I am particularly proud of the efforts of staff across the board to improve our services and of the council's delivery of the Liberty Stadium and key improvements in the city centre."

Referring to the £25m re-fitting of what was once one of Wales' most popular visitor attractions, forced to close months after he joined the council because of maintenance problems, he said, "I'm sure that the new leisure centre will be a great success."

Chris Holley, Swansea's council leader, was last night full of praise for the former chief executive.
He said, "Tim has made a huge contribution to Swansea in the three years that he has been chief executive.

"He has been the inspiration and driving force behind many improvements to the council and has laid the groundwork for the council to become a top performing organisation.

"On behalf of all members of the council I wish him every success in the future."

Mr Thorogood was the driving force behind a controversial e-government scheme.

Swansea's IT workers went on a two-month strike last year when two private firms began bidding for a multi-million-pound computerisation programme at the council.

It will see members of the public having easier access to the council but some have criticised the project's £100m cost.

Unions are also worried that other services might be privatised and that "savings" produce by the programme could mean job cuts.

The council will contribute £4m a year to the programme, being run by computer contractors Capgemini, over the next 10 years.

Council chief in house row quits

2 February 2006 - BBC Wales Website

Swansea Council's chief executive, who was suspended while an investigation was carried out into a planning issue surrounding his home, has resigned.

Tim Thorogood was suspended from his £120,000-a-year post in January.
He had been off work after questions were raised in December over work done to his house in Rhossili, Gower.

The council announced on Thursday night that he has quit with immediate effect. He had acknowledged minor planning breaches, but denied misconduct.
The investigation had focused on an application made for a detached garage and workshop at his property.

Mr Thorogood, who took up the post three years ago, was given approval for the garage retrospectively.

Swansea council had said there "was a case" for Mr Thorogood to answer, and that an independent investigator would be appointed to oversee an investigation.

However a spokesman for the council said disciplinary action against Mr Thorogood had now been dropped.

After he was suspended on 13 January, Mr Thorogood's representative said he was disappointed by the decision.

He acknowledged some minor breaches of planning permission, which he said had now been rectified.

Swansea's Liberal Democrat council leader, Chris Holley, said Mr Thorogood had "made a huge contribution to Swansea".

"He has been an inspiration and driving force behind many improvements to the council. He's laid the groundwork for the council to become a top performing organisation.

"On behalf of all the members of the council, I wish him every success in the future."

Speaking about the financial settlement, he added Mr Thorogood had had what he was legally entitled to, and a severance payment. The council had taken advice from barristers and auditors in making the arrangements.

Mr Holley said the council was "acting swiftly and prudently" to deal with the situation.

However Swansea council's opposition leader, Labour councillor David Phillips, raised concerns about the financial arrangements following Mr Thorogood's resignation.

"The resignation was probably inevitable given the circumstances and the amount of evidence already in the public domain," he told BBC Wales.