Town hall chief is handed £475k golden goodbye

A COUNCIL boss was handed a severance package of almost half a million pounds by a cash-strapped local authority.

William Gilfillan, former director of community services at Highland Council, received a £475,000 payoff when he left his post in June.

His departure after 20 years with the authority came as part of a restructuring of senior management aimed at saving cash.

The payment was revealed weeks after interim council education boss Paul Senior quit his £93 -a-day job after only three months.

Last week the council, run by a Lib Dem-Labour coalition, sparked anger by advertising for a £122,812a-year depute chief executive and an executive chief officer for care and learning on £93,932.

The authority – whose chief executive is Donna Manson – faces a budget black hole of nearly £30million. Andrew Jarvie, leader of the Scottish Conservative group on the council, questioned how the payouts would save money.

He said: ‘We are just at the beginning of blowing the smoke away from the chief executive’s restructuring exercise, but it’s becoming quite clear she has not delivered what was promised.’

Finance Secretary and Highlands MSP Kate Forbes also questioned the appointments and payouts.

She said: ‘Budgets are under immense pressure right now.’

Mr Jarvie told the corporate resources committee: ‘I distinctly recall the chief executive saying when she joined this council that if she didn’t make it work then she would resign. So if she hasn’t made it work, can I ask when you would call for her resignation?’

The council says the money paid to Mr Gilfillan includes items such as pay in lieu of notice, redundancy costs, added years compensation and pension payments.

A spokesman said: ‘All senior recruitment and severance is subject to member decision making.’

Council leader Margaret Davidson said: ‘I am confident that when the full facts about the redesign are laid before the council it will be clear that the revenue savings for the council will be evident.’