A FORMER top council officer at the centre of a transparency row “decided to leave” of her own accord, documents have revealed.
Cath James, who was strategic director for environment at West Oxfordshire District Council, left in December 2010 and was paid £110,000 for “loss of office”.
The council had refused to say if Ms James was sacked, made redundant, resigned or left through illness. But in a December 2010 cabinet meeting councillor Simon Hoare is minuted as saying she “had decided to leave West Oxfordshire District Council”.
Asked why there was a difference between recent council statements and the minutes, Mr Hoare said this week: “We do not comment on staffing matters.”
Asked if the council would apologise for putting out press statements that differed from minuted statements, he said: “I fail to see why we should apologise for acting as a responsible employer with a duty of care to staff.
“I would be failing on my duty as a responsible employer if every time someone leaves the employment of the council we feel we were obligated to put out a statement with chapter and verse.”
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.”
Mr Hoare said the “mis-statement” was related to “editorial” and “presentation” issues.
But Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: “It still leaves the public in the dark.”
West Oxfordshire District Council plans to replace Ms James by sharing Cotswold District Council’s strategic director for environment.
The decision was made by the council’s cabinet on Wednesday but will need to be ratified by the full council next Wednesday.
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