We know that former strategic director for the environment at West Oxfordshire District Council Cath James decided to leave the council of her own accord.

We know this was her own decision and the council paid her £110,000 for ‘loss of office’ (after just 10 years’ service).

The council was criticised by the District Auditor for “mis-statements” relating to Ms James’s compensation and that “information was not disclosed for the strategic director who has left the council!”

We also know the council’s chief executive, Mr Neudegg, refuses to say why she was paid £110,000 of tax payers’ money as this is “confidential”.

The Nolan Committee set out the Seven Principles of Public Life which include the following: “Accountability. Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

“Openness. Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions which they take.

“They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.”

If Mr Neudegg is not prepared to comply with this and provide full justification for this payment, he should resign.

I hope that as many readers as possible will raise this lamentable behaviour with the information commissioner.

GEORGE ASHTON, Thames Street, Eynsham