THE cost to local tax payers of making one senior officer at the Council House redundant as part of a major jobs restructuring programme is approximately £150,000.

This figure and possible others, yet to be decided upon, will be discussed by the district council's cabinet tonight (Wednesday) with press and public barred from the meeting.

All department heads are having to reapply for their jobs as part of the council's effort to get back on track following its decision to apply to the Government for voluntary engagement after finding itself in serious difficulties. Its progress is being closely monitored by Whitehall officials.

As revealed exclusively in The Advertiser/Messenger recently, more than £2m has been earmarked by the authority from its savings to fund golden handshakes, redundancies and to top up pension funds.

The officer, whom in the interests of privacy we are not naming, will receive a pay off package of close on £150,000.

Several district councillors of all parties, who because of the confidentially aspect cannot go on the record, say privately they are concerned at what they perceive to be over generous pay outs.

And with at least three other senior experienced managers so far also failing to regain their old jobs, some councillors believe the local authority will suffer as a consequence because their expertise and experience will be lost with their departures.

One senior councillor remarked: "At this rate the £2m will not be any where near enough to pay them off." No one from the council was available for comment.

pete.lammas@midlands.newsquest.co.uk