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.
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.
posted by Commentator at 11:01 AM
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