Three severance payments over £100k approved

ASSURANCE was sought that the loss of a senior position in the children and schools department would not impact on the service.

Cllr John Davies raised concerns that the voluntary severance scheme (VSS) take up by a “head of service” would not cause problems.

Full council agreed three applications to the VSS that totalled more than £330,000 in severance costs and “pension strain.”

The VSS ran from before Christmas to January 31, 2019, and the panel has approved or in principle approved 36 applications, potentially reducing the council’s salary bill by £1.35m.

A children and schools service salary of £80,000 will be removed and the post absorbed into the department, a report to council states, along with a severance payment of £66,000 and pension strain of £39,000.

“Continuity tests” were carried out when considering all applications, chief executive Ian Westley told Cllr Davies.

A HR salary of £44,000 will be removed with a severance payment of £36,000 and pension strain of £69,000 and in the finance department a £41,000 role will be lost.

The pension strain will hit £83,000 and a severance payment of £33,000.

Both departments will be restructured to accommodate the loss of post.

Cabinet member for finance Cllr Bob Kilmister said the payments were made to the Dyfed Pension Scheme not direct to individuals.