Boss leaves following fall-out with Labour

Hull Council announced last night that Nicola Yates would be leaving her £160,000 role, with effect from tomorrow.

No details of any financial package have been disclosed.

A source said others could follow suit, adding: “It is no secret in the Guildhall that relationships between Labour and the leadership and a lot of staff in the Guildhall have broken down.

“This does not come cheap and in addition they will end up appointing interim managers that will end up costing the council a small fortune.”

It followed a row within the past fortnight over a new senior management structure. Both unions and councillors had attacked plans to axe jobs as part of plans to save £1m .

At the time, deputy council leader Daren Hale said letters sent to staff had been done without the agreement of the Cabinet and it was “fair to say we are extremely unhappy”. Unions condemned the “belligerent” approach taken by managers.

In May some councillors were critical of the decision to hold the election count at City Hall rather than the Guildhall.

In a statement, council leader Steve Brady said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nicola for her time, hard work and dedication to Hull and the council. I wish her all the best in the future.”

Ms Yates, who joined the council in 2009, said: “My role as chief executive of Hull Council has been enjoyable and challenging and I wish the council, its staff and the city the very best in the years ahead.”

The council said Ms Yates had “guided the council through a period of considerable change in a challenging economic climate”.