Council chief's retirement costs authority £341,000
Former Somerset County Council chief executive Alan Jones' early retirement cost the authority £341,000, it has been revealed.
Mr Jones relinquished his post by agreement in July 2009 after discussions with the leader of the newly-elected Conservative administration, after six years in the post.
In a statement yesterday the council said Mr Jones had received compensation of £113,500 for taking early retirement, a further £40,500 in lieu of working his notice period and another £11,000 for other costs including untaken leave. A payment of £176,000 was reimbursed to the local government pension fund.
Council leader Ken Maddock, said the package was "the right thing to do". He added: "With the vision and drive of our new chief executive, the council is now on target to make £37m in savings for next year and to balance its books."
2 Comments
by Stop the Cuts in Somerset, Somerset
Sunday, January 23 2011, 6:36PM
“So Somerset can afford to pay all this money (plus £70K recruitment costs) to change Chief Executives, but cannot keep libraries open, look after elderly people properly or give redundant staff a fair deal.
New Ch Exec Sheila Wheeler is on £161K, New Director on £136K. Leader Ken Maddock's is spending £300k per year to have his own "Cabinet Office" staff.
One rule for the top and another for the rest of us.
What hypocrisy!”
by Sweeney, East Davon
Saturday, January 22 2011, 6:35PM
“Quote "With the vision and drive of our new chief executive....."
Is there any other way of interpreting this comment from Somerset CC other than it meaning that their old Chief Executive Alan Jones was incompetent and not up to the job?
So, for his incompetence ratepayers cough up £341,000 ? Jones is obviously not the only incompetent one.
These councils, and their cosy retirement arrangements for pals need greater scrutiny. It is suggested that we in East Devon have also paid for this man's retirement in the process of trying to offload our Chief Exec part time to Somerset. A process which has failed I believe.”