£50,000for ex-chiefof scandalcouncil

THE former managing director of scandal-hit Doncaster Council has been paid 50,000 for his notice period, despite not having to work it, the authority confirmed last night.

Paul Hart left work for “personal reasons” on January 15.

The details of his notice pay emerged after the council was criticised by a High Court judge for wasting 30,000 of taxpayers’ money by trying to keep the findings of a serious case review into the brutal torture attack by two brothers in Edlington secret.

Mr Hart’s resignation coincided with an inspection by Ofsted into children’s services in the town and came just days before the two boys were sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court last week.

He was also due to attend a meeting with the Department for Communities and Local Government to discuss Doncaster Council’s poor performance a week after he quit.

The council has confirmed Mr Hart, who was on 175,000 a year, will receive 12 weeks pay in lieu of his notice. His pay-off has been agreed with all political parties at the council.

Coun Garth Oxby, leader of Doncaster Council’s independent group, said: “I know some people will see it as a waste of money, I have already heard one or two adverse comments.

“But I have seen a man who is not very well. At times he was quite ill with all the pressure.”

Mr Hart came under pressure over the deaths of seven children in Doncaster in recent years, who were known to children’s services, and other high-profile matters relating to the management of the council.

The 54-year-old was appointed in February 2008 after 18 months as interim boss.

A Doncaster Council spokesman said: “The council did not require Mr Hart to work his notice. We therefore are required to pay Paul in lieu of his notice.

Mr Hart was unavailable for comment.