Derby Telegraph
http://m.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/story.html?aid=19202566&category=news
Jun 6th, 2013
Nick Hodgson
THE Derby Telegraph has challenged the county council over its refusal to reveal how much taxpayers' money is being used to replace the authority's chief executive.
Long-serving Nick Hodgson, 60, left the £152,000-a-year role four days ago.
His departure was confirmed by Labour on May 15 – less than two weeks after it won control of Derbyshire in a landslide election win.
No explanation was given for Mr Hodgson's sudden exit and the council has repeatedly refused to say what payoff – if any – Mr Hodgson was given.
The new leader, Councillor Anne Western, cited "legal reasons" for why she would not release the information herself.
Mrs Western also said she should not be expected to release details of payments to individual employees as "that's not how it works with HR (human resource) issues".
But the Telegraph can reveal other authorities in a similar position have released such information.
Cheshire East Council announced last month that its chief executive, Erika Wenzel, had left her role by "mutual consent" and was given a £93,550 payout.
Kent County Council revealed last year its managing director, Katherine Kerswell, received a £420,000 payout when she left the authority after only 16 months in the job.
Telford and Wrekin Council admitted its departing chief executive received a £125,000 golden handshake after offering to quit the authority in 2011.
These are just a few examples.
Councils released payout details after the Government announced a programme for greater transparency in local government.
In September 2011, following consultation, the Government published a code of recommended practice on transparency within local authorities. This included requiring councils to publish details of "all" items of expenditure over £500, including remuneration packages.
In parallel with this, the Localism Act 2011 requires each council to publish and approve a pay policy statement focusing on levels of remuneration of chief officers. Derbyshire County Council published its pay policy statement in April – but it did not make it clear what levels of remuneration Mr Hodgson would be entitled to were he to leave.
The leader of the Tory opposition, Andrew Lewer, said the council's stance made a mockery of Labour's election promise to make the authority more "open".
He said: "Using the expression 'I can't comment for legal reasons' is not some sort of magic spell that makes difficult issues go away.
"Where large sums of public money are involved, as they are in this case, it is critical that details are released. People have stopped me in the street and asked, 'how much is it costing to get rid of the chief executive?'
"I am sure the Department for Communities and Local Government will take an extremely dim view of the new administration over this."
The Derby Telegraph has outlined its arguments in an e-mail to the council. We have also submitted a Freedom of Information request but are yet to receive a response.
We requested a comment from the council but again did not receive any response.
KEY QUESTIONS WHICH THE AUTHORITY REFUSES TO ANSWER
1. Why has Nick Hodgson left the authority?
2. What money will he be paid when he leaves? Where different sums of cash are being paid, please give details of each amount and why it is being paid. Please make clear where sums of money are part of his severance package.
3. Is there a confidentiality agreement in place that prevents Mr Hodgson from talking to the press about the reasons behind his exit? If so, how much is he being paid to not talk to the press about the reasons behind his exit?
4. Will the council continue paying pension contributions to Mr Hodgson after he leaves? If so, how much are these payments and how long will they continue to be paid?
5. When can Mr Hodgson start drawing his pension?
6. Has the authority paid sums to any other employees as part of an agreement that they would not talk to the press about Mr Hodgson's exit? If so, how many and what are the sums involved?
7. What costs are involved in the recruitment process that is now under way as the council seeks to appoint a new chief executive?