SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Taxpayers facing hefty compensation fee to terminate council chief's contract

TAXPAYERS could be faced with having to pay out a whopping £112,333 in compensation if South Somerset District Council decides to terminate the contract of its “shared” chief executive.

It was revealed yesterday (Wednesday, May 13, 2015) that the council was looking to end its partnership agreement with neighbouring East Devon District Council and the sharing of chief executive Mark Williams.

But a council report just published – which will go before the full council of South Somerset next Thursday (May 21, 2015) – shows that relieving Mr Williams of his role here will be expensive.

It was back in 2010 that an agreement was reached between South Somerset and East Devon about “sharing” Mr Williams and that was extended 12 months ago to run until the end of September 2018.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Chief executive Mark Williams.

The report has said that the council - if it agrees - will have to pay the East Devon authority compensation to the tune of £112,333 for ending the contract early; although the move should reduce the management costs of running South Somerset District Council in the long run.

The report said that the chief executive’s role over the past five years had been to improve the “efficiency of the organisation as well as to nurture senior level talent at South Somerset District Council.”

“It is now felt that the council’s succession plan and the organisation itself has matured to the point where we can consider a further step change and let Mark return to East Devon to pursue the demanding strategic agenda which faces East Devon, Exeter and Teignbridge,” added the report written by Ian Clarke, assistant director of legal and corporate services.

“If the recommendation is approved by council then joint discussions with East Devon relating to the notice period and termination of the contract will take place immediately.”

The report states that it is NOT intended to replace the chief executive post with an external appointment.

“There are a number of options available to the council in terms of future management arrangements and structural organisation,” added the report.

If the recommendation to terminate Mr Williams contract as chief executive is supported then Mr Clarke – who has written the report – will undertake the role as acting chief exec.

Mr Williams’ current salary is £122,210 per year which is split 50-50 between South Somerset and East Devon at £61,105 each.

MORE NEWS: Yesterday's story about plans to terminate the chief executive's contract at South Somerset District Council can be found on this link: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/05/13/south-somerset-news-district-council-chief-exec-to-head-back-to-east-devon/ .

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