Doncaster MBC is dogged by controversy again, as its managing director departs with a £120,000 pay-off.
Susan Law officially quits her £150,000 post at the end of March, after almost eight months on ‘personal leave’.
It follows a well-publicised fall-out with the council’s mayor, Martin Winter, over the Glass Park inquiry, and an investigation into her conduct after allegations of bullying, overbearing behaviour and a lack of consultation with councillors.
Ms Law joined the council in summer 2004. But relations with the mayor deteriorated when she called the police in to investigate the Glass Park community project, just over two months ago. It followed an auditor’s claims of financial mismanagement by the Glass Park Development Company, set up to create a community recreation area and wildlife meadow.
Mr Winter was company secretary until 2000, and there were calls for him to resign as the police and internal council inquiries got under way. But police concluded last June there was no action to be taken.
Ms Law requested personal leave in August 2006, amid claims she was being victimised for being a ‘whistle-blower’.
At the same time, a council investigation began into her conduct, after a secret meeting of cabinet members.
The cost of this investigation to date was running at £103,351.64.
In a joint statement, Ms Law and the council said: ‘It is a matter of public record that the working relationship between Mayor Winter, members of the cabinet, and the managing director have been strained for some time. The council emphatically denies that it is or has victimised Ms Law, or allowed her to suffer any detriment in her employment as a result of making the report.
‘Ms Law will receive a termination payment, without any admission of fault or liability on either side, of £120,000.’
Paul Hart will continue as acting managing director at the council until a new appointment is made.
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