03.04.17
Bournemouth BC to pay out £400,000 as CEO position made redundant
Bournemouth Borough Council have formally voted to remove the chief executive role from the council, and will pay out almost £400,000 to the outgoing CEO in costs including a £63,000 redundancy pay package.
The story confirms news reported by PSE last week that the local authority was holding a vote to decide on the future of its CEO, as Bournemouth prepared itself for a large local council reorganisation.
Under current proposals, yet to be ratified, Dorset’s nine councils will be reduced down to two unitary authorities by April 2019, a decision strongly backed by local residents of the region.
The decision for Bournemouth to make its CEO, Tony Williams, redundant will make a saving of £164,000 per annum according to the council, as his role will not be needed once responsibilities under his remit fall under the jurisdiction of a unitary CEO in the future.
In council documents, it was also revealed that the total one-off cost of the change to the council would be £477,000, with £394,000 going to Williams, including £63,000 statutory redundancy pay, £85,000 in six months’ notice pay and £246,000 statutory early release of pension.
Last week when news of the vote was announced by the council, council leader Cllr John Beesley said he could not thank Williams enough for his “strong insight and leadership during his time at Bournemouth Council”.
Williams himself also said he will be “very said” to leave the council at such an exciting time, adding: “I have been fortunate enough to have worked with many committed, talented and inspiring people whilst at Bournemouth – people within the Council itself, in partner agencies and of course the community & voluntary sector.
“I would like to thank them for making this proud Welshman so welcome.”
Responsibilities for the pay role and other responsibilities formerly held by Williams will now be taken on by the deputy chief executive of the council Jane Portman.
The local authority is also in talks with Bournemouth Poole Council to develop a joint management team as the Poole Council encompasses the existing role of executive director for corporate services, chief finance officer and other roles in anticipation of the change to a unitary authority.
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