Suspended IT head left with £52,000 payout
Thursday 18th August 2011, 7:00PM BST.
The former head of IT at Telford and Wrekin Council walked away with a £52,000 redundancy payout while he was suspended from his job, it was revealed today.
Mike Weston worked as the authority’s head of information and communication technology but was suspended from his job in September 2010.
The council has refused to say exactly why Mr Weston was suspended, but said it was while “an investigation into a managerial situation” was carried out.
During Mr Weston’s suspension, the authority announced it was laying off staff, including a large number of senior managers, as part of cutbacks – which included Mr Weston’s job.
Council spokesman Russell Griffin said: “Mike Weston was suspended from work in September 2010 while an investigation into a managerial situation was undertaken.
“While the investigation was under way, proposals to reduce the number of senior managers in the council were also being considered.
“One of these positions was the head of ICT which was merged with another post.
“Mr Weston’s position therefore became redundant and a redundancy payment was made.”
In February the council’s former chief executive, Victor Brownlees, warned of 530 job losses by April 2012 due to the sweeping Government cuts. Last month it was revealed Mr Brownlees would receive a £125,000 golden handshake after offering to quit the authority.
The payout to Mr Brownlees, who earned £149,000-a-year in his role at the council,did not include any legal costs which could add on a further £10,000 to the bill.
In 2010 a total of 43 members of staff were made redundant by Telford & Wrekin Council, while 28 workers got the axe during 2009.
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