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."
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."
posted by Commentator at 10:38 AM
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