A FORMER top officer at West Oxfordshire District Council was paid £110,000 “hush money” that stops details of her loss of office coming to light, the Oxford Mail can reveal.

Cath James, a former strategic director for environment at the council, was paid as part of a compromise agreement when she chose to leave her job.

Yet while confirming the deal, the council has refused to disclose why the agreement was signed and its details.

Compromise agreements mean a further claim cannot be brought through the courts or tribunals, which can be open to the press and public.

They can be signed if the employee believes they have been discriminated against on grounds of sex, race, religion or disability.

Non-payment of wages, unfair dismissal, a failure to recognise employment rights or breach of contract can also be reasons for agreements being signed.

Opposition Liberal Democrat leader Julian Cooper said: “It is unsatisfactory that these allegations have been left hanging in the air. Neither side has had their day in court to prove their case.”

And Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: “This is public money and the public clearly has a right to know the reason why so much has been spent as part of a compromise agreement.

“The council could give that information without infringing any confidentiality of her personal circumstances.

“The more they try to hide the detail, the more it looks like they have got something to hide.”

James Simpson, head of employment at Henmans Solicitors in Oxford, said the upper limit for unfair dismissal compensation is £68,400. Ms James’ settlement was “large” compared to others, he said.

He said: “Employers enter into compromise agreements if they are worried the employee may pursue them for compensation.”

He added: “Most compromise agreements have a confidentiality clause in them, meaning parties are not able to talk about the terms of the agreement or the circumstances leading up to signing the agreement.”

Justin Godbolt, partner at Oxford Employment Law Solicitors, said: “You could say it is hush money.

“The employee gives up any right to any employment claims, in return for payment for doing that.”

The £110,000 payment came to light after an audit of the council’s 2010/11 budget by the Audit Commission found “mis-statements” relating to Ms James’ compensation.

Under the heading “termination benefits”, district auditor Maria Grindley said: “Information was not disclosed for the strategic director who has left the council.”

And, under the heading “officer remuneration”, she added: “Pension contributions and compensation for loss of office were missing from the note.”

Councillor Simon Hoare, chairman of the council’s human resources committee, said: “In fairness to our employees, both past and present, we do not comment on such matters.”